Lindsay Munroe – Split review

by Hannah Ashcroft

I’ve always admired Lindsay Munroe’s ability to write with such openness – from her rootsier demos (alas, you won’t find these recordings online, but I believe she still has physical copies for sale) to her more recent alt-indie offerings.

Moving on from calling out unrealistic body standards in Mirror, her new single, Split, outlines her struggle with a conservative religious upbringing – and though it may not be a common theme, the mood and lyrics are still poignant and relatable.

In Lindsay’s own words, ‘I spent my early 20s in conservative religious environments, embedded in black-and-white thinking and beliefs. Increasingly, I felt like I had to leave part of myself at the door, painfully unable to be open about my life and choices. Split came from an attempt to move beyond the hurt and exhaustion of that situation.’

Produced by Chris Hamilton (Lump, Torres), the song starts slow and stark, with only vocals and a swung electric guitar rhythm almost lulling you into a false sense of serenity before glitch-like sounds create an unsettling atmosphere.

“There was a sickness in the ground you see – from roots up to the leaves – right through the heart of me…” 

Munroe hits a lyrical sweet spot between honesty and metaphor – her tone is frank, but also conjures up biblical imagery of decay and deceit – the moody vocals with low harmonies adding audibly dark undertones.

As the arrangement veers suddenly into the middle eight, the change of pace almost throws you off balance, as drummer Fern Ford (The Big Moon), breaks out into crashing cymbals before crescendoing into the final chorus amid a clamour of white noise, angsty guitar riffs and Munroe’s searing falsetto.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege watching Lindsay Munroe grow in confidence – from her production style to her live performances – and I can’t wait to see what the future brings for her. Her new EP, Our Heaviness, is out on May 8th via AWAL. I sincerely suggest you give it a listen.

 

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