Review By Darren McIntyre
Laura Cox is an Anglo-French guitarist/singer/songwriter who came to prominence in 2008 when she achieved international recognition on YouTube as a standalone guitarist. Laura first picked up a guitar aged 14 and began to find her rhythm and style and the rest, they say, is history. Laura has given us Hard Blues Shot in 2017 as Laura Cox Band; she ventured out on her own and brought us Burning Bright in 2019 and Head Above Water in 2023 as Laura Cox and on the 31st October she delivers her colossal new album Trouble Coming. I am pleased to say that I have a copy of the album in my grubby little mitts, and with pleasure, I will be reviewing it for you today
The song “No Need To Try Harder” opens with a sultry, bluesy riff that gets the juices flowing. This amazing musician is really rocking this new song. The groove is a real funky, punchy tone that instantly gets the feet moving with the fuzz box riffs that are oozing from the track. The vocals are strong and really suit the tempo as the punchy rhythm section leans in with a cool bass kick that just allows the track to breathe. The sizzling guitar work is just elevating the tone of this soulful, blues-laden rock ‘n’ roll track as a cool, dark, brooding bassline flows freely through the arrangement as Laura goes through the gears and just tells it like it is as we feel the energy pulsing through the composition as the riffs intensify and we feel the lyrics tell their own story.
A Way Home – A sleazy guitar lick opens the track as the dark, punchy rhythm section eases in with a real cool beat that sets the scene for this gritty rocking beast. The cool bassline is hitting us with mellow, meaty grooves that work so well with this rasping rocker track that comes out swinging with its fist-pumping lyrics that really give the track attitude; the tempo changes pace a little, and this gives Laura time to lean in and hit us with a swift, clean solo that tells us what this musician is all about. The melodic, raspy vocals are flowing freely through the track and really let it tell its own story as the groove gives the track a real ass-shaking beat that goes on and on.
Trouble Coming – The track comes at us with a cool, dark groove that allows Laura to bring the almost spoken lyrics to life as the sweet, mellow bass brings the low end to us. The cymbal rolls add a certain mystery to the track as a cool bass kick brings depth and swagger to this real gutsy track that is getting ready to blow its top as the sultry beat wraps itself around us. As the snare drum punches let the track grow, the haunting lyrics really let our imagination run wild as the cool guitar licks are rippling through the track. The cool spoken lyrics are really bringing the track to our attention as the killer low end leans in and hits us with smouldering grooves that really make this track work.
Inside The Storm – Laura brings her cool, soulful vocals to the track as the rhythm section kicks in the doors with a deep, punchy snare groove that really pops with this crunching guitar lick. The track gathers pace as the dark, brooding bassline delivers a well-structured groove that lets the track unfold as we bop along to this finger-clicking bruiser that lets the grungy guitar riffs take the track forward. The tempo changes pace a little as acoustic strumming tones weave their way through the arrangement before Laura leans in and offloads with a slick, crisp solo that really lets her express herself and what she is all about. The snare drum beats are filling the room with their funky tone that gives the piece depth, swagger and bags of attitude that seems to be the thread of this awesome musician.
What Do You Know – A sultry vocal oozes from the intro as acoustic strumming chords weave their way through this smoldering, dark rock ballad that simply grabs our attention. The punchy, groove laden rhythm section brings us a real stop / start beat that lets the arrangement leave it’s mark upon us as we feel the emotion flowing through the track, the melodic vocals are really letting the track breath as the cool, dark, delicious low end gives the track some depth as we let this killer musician leave us wanting more as we feel the energy coming from the album that has been well worth the wait.
Dancing Around The Truth – A real gritty, sludgy, groove-laden guitar riff wanders freely through the intro as a sweet, melodic lick comes at us as Laura brings her mellow vocals to the party. The rhythm section is again bringing sharp, punchy tones that are wrapped in a deep bass kick that really gives the track some direction as the track opens and really gives us more. The funky, toe-tapping track is full of soulful, melodic grooves that just put a smile on your face as this gritty groover gets us movin and a groovin with the killer funk-laden bassline that gives the track some depth. We finish with a slick, clean lick that really pops as it moves through the arrangement.
Out Of The Blue – A cool banjo tone ripples through the intro as Laura lets her incredible, bluesy vocals lead the charge in this smouldering, lyric-laden number. The cool, funky bassline is laying epic grooves all through the track as the soulful tempo catches our attention as we navigate through this real complex piece that just allows Laura to lay herself bare. The snare drum kicks really command the beat as they give us direction as Laura leans in and delivers a real cool, sludgy, bluesy riff that just elevates this awesome number that showcases Laura’s incredible songwriting that gives the track some sense of belief as we feel the soulful beat wander through the piece.
The Broken – We return to a real funky, toe-tapping beat that brings a sweet, punchy snare drum groove that commands the track as it builds and builds with a sizzling, slick riff that really pops. The deep, full-on bassline is dropping in and just wrapping itself around this crunching, fist-pumping piece that just puts a smile on your face with its catchy beat and smouldering lyrics that really let the track open and soar. The cool solo drops in and really delivers a quirky lick that works well with the pop-rock groove that has us really digging the tone flowing from this exciting musician as she really delivers a swashbuckling record that deserves our attention.
Rise Together – A dark, gritty, rasping guitar riff opens the track as raspy, soulful vocals run freely through the intro as a cool bass kick comes at us with a real vengeful beat. A dark, brooding bassline comes at us and really hits us with a sludgy beat that allows the track to really express itself as we really dig this gal, as she has dug deep and really given us all she has, as this foot-stomping bruiser seems like the perfect track to rock out to and let her emotions break free. The arrangement is fresh and mellow and has bags of swagger as Laura eases through the track and just brings us together with her real melodic grooves that are just awesome.
Do I Have Your Attention – A funky toe-tapping? –-tapping guitar riff is coming at us before Bang!rupts into life with ease as we feel Laura rocking out and really getting down and dirty. The heavy-ended rhythm section is kicking things off with a reall meaty snare drum beat that just lets the track break free. The. The bassline is hitting us with a real funky, mellow groove that works alongside a slick, crisp guitar solo that just tells us what this musician is all about as she kicks in the doors with her soaring riffs, gutsy lyrics and a real sense that she just wants to tell us what she is all about.
Strangers Someday – A dark, gritty guitar lick oozes from the intro as we feel the sludgy beat come for us as Laura lets her smouldering vocals lead the way in this emotion-filled groover. The rhythm section is coming at us with a cool snaredrum kick that comes armed with cymbal snaps that really give the track direction as this fantastic track-ending-ending song leaves itsits mark on us. The mellow bassline is handing us a real dark, delicious tone that wanders freely through the track asas a nice, solemn guitar pick comes through and just allows the track to breathe and gives Laura the chance to really dazzle us with her awesome playing that comes armed with soulful lyrics that really get us on side with her journey.
Laura Cox –
Laura Cox – Vocals / Guitar
Track Listing –
No Need To Try Harder
A Way Home
Trouble Coming
Inside The Storm
What Do You Know
Dancing Around The Truth
Out Of The Blue
The Broken
Rise Together
Do I Have Your Attention
Strangers Someday
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