New Release: Loma, How Will I Live Without a Body? (Sub Pop Records)

One never knows what life has planned for us. For example, when Shearwater toured in 2016 behind their stunning umpteenth studio album Jet Plane and Oxbow, Austin band Cross Record opened. On the road, the bands’ singers Jonathan Meiburg and Emily Cross along with Dan Duszynski batted around ideas on creating a splinter group combining their unique sounds. The plan came to fruition in 2018 with the release of Loma’s self-titled debut studio album. Two years later Don’t Shy Away was released.

The group’s third release, How Will I Live Without a Body?, highlights a clear evolution for the band. On their website, they describe the sound as, “…a rich and atmospheric journey through hazy summers and deep winters, star-filled nights and blazing days. It took us places we’d never been before, in music and in life.” This sentiment succinctly characterizes the listener’s journey, as well.  

The album’s first single, “How It Starts” was released a couple months back and set the wheels in motion, followed shortly by “Pink Sky” and “Affinity.” Each mesmerizing single stays true to the group’s motif whilst remaining worlds apart. Repeated listens underscores each song’s clarifying autonomy. Cross’s dreamy, celestial vocals bestow a serene listening experience. Meiburg, whose comfort zone is frontman, submits wonderfully smooth backing vocals. The ensuing harmonies with Cross are beautiful and devastating.

The single “Pink Sky” was recorded in the south of England, and the clarinet alone will give you pause…such as you may get while watching a psychological thriller. In fact, this entire album is a psychological feat. Loma is a true thinking person’s band.

The genre-bending trio has seemingly matured with age, and as a result experienced the riches of self-confidence and assuredness. The culmination of each musician’s life-experience in music is evident and refreshing here. This indie band hailing from rural Texas aces the test on their third release. Let’s hope a tour isn’t far behind.

For more information, visit Loma’s website and bandcamp page.

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