Last month my partner and I went to the Reggatabar Jazz Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts to see Lenka in concert. I’ve seen her a bunch and her shows are always perfection. Her set-list spanned her career with a few new songs in the mix. After the show, she met fans at the merch table. When it was my turn, she looked at me and said “Hey, I know you!” and I confusingly replied “Umm…I don’t think so.” She doubled down and said “Sure I do!” I thought “Girl, she must know My Gay Opinion.” Then she continued, “Online, you’re The Bird Lover.” Bursting my bubble. I mumbled, “Nope, I don’t love birds,” hung my head, took my signed merch and saw myself out.
Lenka may have no idea who I am but I love her and her new album, Good Days. Lenka is a diva who doesn’t have a specific sound, making each new album exciting because I never know what to expect. Although she doesn’t have a set style, she does have a permanent quirky and fun-loving vibe.
“Love Is A Beat,” “They Never Said” and “So Far So Good” could’ve been hits for any 60’s doo-wop all-girl group, “Good Days” and “The Balance” have a beatnik belief, “Heart Flame” and “Mettle” are torchy ballads, and on “Archetypal” Lenka gives a nod (and Hustle twirl) to disco. Good Days wants to be retro but is too modern for that.
Even when reality is steeped in darkness in Lenka’s lyrics, she’s always looking at the “Silver Lining”…which is the best track on the album, in my gay opinion.
