ALBUM REVIEW: Lissie Handles Her Heartbreak on ‘Carving Canyons’

The inspiration behind Lissie’s fifth album, Carving Canyons, was a double whammy: a break-up during the pandemic. Lissie was “broken open,” to borrow the words she sings on the title track, and she spent time grieving, healing, and strengthening her relationships with friends. In response to this personal upheaval, nothing is diluted and everything Lissie has to say is striking and said loudly on Carving Canyons. Lissie’s heart is on fire. Her love was as big as the ocean. She hates this.

There’s a mix of glimmering pop and twangy folk-rock songs on Carving Canyons. “Unravel” starts the album off with a smoky-sounding picked acoustic guitar that casts the album in twilight, but the shimmer of “Chasing the Sun” has the opposite effect and throws a bright light on the record. Some of Carving Canyons will remind you of other artists like The Chicks, Stevie Nicks, and Jenny Lewis. The title alone of highlight “Night Moves” — a moody tune with an exciting driving rhythm — will have you itching to put on the Bob Seger song of the same name. But just because Carving Canyons is familiar doesn’t make it feel flat. In fact, it feels like an expertly curated mixtape for heartbreak, revenge, and redemption.

The most dynamic aspect of the record is Lissie’s pursuit of happiness and peace. While much of Carving Canyons is steeped in heartbreak, Lissie constantly returns to her future and remains hopeful. On “Unlock the Chains,” she sets herself free, and by the piano-led closer “Midnight,” Lissie is ready to go out into the world and rediscover herself. On “Flowers,” a song where Lissie gives herself permission to be hurt but to also heal, she sings, “I’m okay.” Channeling her inner Mrs. Dalloway, Lissie concludes, “I can grow my own flowers.”

Lissie’s Carving Canyons is out Sept. 16 on Lionboy Records.