Brazilian-British singer-songwriter Liana Flores first turned ears a few years back when “Rises the Moon,” a song from her self-distributed second EP, turned into trendy soundtrack fodder on TikTok. Hers was and remains the sound of acoustic folk and bossa nova, with breezy melodies, languid vocals and hippyish sentiments imbuing a peaceful, easy feeling into all but the hardhearted. At the time, although record companies sought to sign her in hopes of capitalizing on the viral success, she opted to stay true to her school, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and focus on pursuing a degree in zoology. Since graduating (with first-class honors, no less), however, she’s joined the roster of the legendary Verve label.
Flower of the soul, released in late June, is her proper debut. Produced in Los Angeles with Noah Georgeson, whose CV includes working with Bert Jansch and Joanna Newsom, it follows the blueprint she drafted for her two EPs. The main difference is that, unlike those demo-like releases, Flower of the soul features a fleshed-out sound that includes a band, strings and flute. It conjures Bebel Gilberto’s Momento, Elaine Elias’ Bossa Nova Stories and CéU’s self-titled debut, among others of my Brazilian favorites, with relaxed rhythms flowing from the grooves alongside pertinent piano riffs and Flores’ sweet vocals. Other times, the songs catch the wind that carried Donovan throughout the 1960s.
In short, it’s one of those albums that, though there are nominal starts and stops throughout, flows as if a symphony, albeit one with 11 sections instead of four. One highlight is “Nightvisions,” which finds her enraptured by a waking dream.
“Cuckoo,” which finds her putting her zoology degree to work, pays tribute to the well-known bird that makes occasional forays to the UK during the spring before departing in June or July. (Or so says the Scottish Wildlife Trust.)
“Butterflies,” which features Brazilian singer-songwriter Tim Bernandes, is another celebration of the natural world.
As I inferred above, however, Flower of the soul is best experienced in full. The melodies rise and fall, swirl and twirl, and lilt and linger in the sonic breeze, and are all but guaranteed to reduce stress and anxiety. I’ve played it off and on for the past few weeks, with each day’s first listen spurring a second. It’s a beautiful work.
The tracks:
The Old Grey Cat 