Perfection is what most artists strive for, and sometimes it pays off, but on the other end of the spectrum lies a different kind of artistry. The willingness to share music in its most raw, unpolished form. That’s exactly what Cape Town-based acoustic duo Lost//Youth has chosen to do with their latest project, Voice Memos, and it’s brilliant.
The EP consists of four voice memo recordings made by vocalist Alanna Joy. Rather than taking these ideas into a studio to polish them up, Lost//Youth decided to release the demos as they were originally recorded. The result is a deeply personal, intimate listening experience that highlights Alanna’s songwriting and vocal delivery in its purest form.
There are wonderfully human moments scattered throughout the project — on “Lost in Berlin,” for instance, Alanna giggles mid-recording, amused with herself. It’s a simple detail, but it adds a kind of charm and authenticity that would likely have been lost were it produced.
The song selection works well together too, thematically revolving around loneliness, longing and heartbreak. This emotional cohesion creates a smooth, immersive listen. Standout tracks include “Something About Leaving” and “Mother’s House,” both of which showcase the raw vulnerability that Lost//Youth bring.
Alanna explains, “I’ve become a little obsessed with voice memos. I’ve always enjoyed sending little recordings of new songs to those closest to me, and it really began to tickle my brain when I was able to capture those first moments of a song in a cohesive form. There’s a magic about it, because you’re capturing not only the emotion and performance in its rawest form, but you’re also capturing the connection to the creative flow.”
Voice Memos is an intimate offering that pulls back the curtain on Lost//Youth’s creative process. In an era where music often leans toward being overproduced, Voice Memos is a refreshing reminder that sometimes, the first take is the most powerful.
