Album Review: Lillye – Evolve (Eclipse Records)

Lillye are a hard rock band hailing from Sydney in Australia. Their new album is called Evolve and was released on May 18th via Eclipse Records.

The power of Lillye comes from a combination of hard riffs, fast rhythmic rock and an impressive vocal range from Virginia Lillye. No ordinary rock vocalist, she has starred in hugely popular musicals such as Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Grease all across Europe.

A combination of rocking upbeat tunes and punk attitude ala Skunk Anansie, Evolve is a solid album that takes only the occasional misstep.

Coming screaming out of the blocks with Run, it’s an opener that gives you that extra bounce in your step. It’s followed up by the more melodic but riff heavy, In the End. Here the vocals really shine as Lillye shows a little growl amongst her impressive range. She’s front and centre with lyrics filling up almost every bit of space on the album.

That’s not to suggest the rest of the band don’t get a look-in. There are plenty of intricate riffs, tight bass lines and horn-throwing solos too. The likes of Brittle Glass, It is What it Was and Grass is Greener showcase the best of the band.

They just doesn’t always get it right though, lacking variety at times, the formula is rarely changed up. Chained doesn’t wow, Take On Me is a little too much of the same thing and by time we’ve reached Through My Soul it’s effectively done.

That might make it sound like it’s a bad album but that’s not the case at all. It’s a good rock album that shows plenty of talent and promise.

Lillye – Evolve Full Track Listing:

1. Run
2. In the End
3. Chained
4. Brittle Glass
5. Better Days
6. Fire
7. It is What it Was
8. Take On Me
9. Grass is Greener
10. Surrender
11. Through My Soul

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You can pick up the album now via Eclipse Records, via Lillye’s online store and via Bandcamp. It can also be streamed via Spotify, Google Play and Apple Music below. Find out more/keep up to date with news by checking out the band’s website, Facebook Page, Twitter and subscribing to their YouTube Channel.