- Reinvention is a tool that artists use sparingly, unless you are of the David Bowie, Kate Bush, or even Madonna calibre. It can produce some clunky results (Neil Young’s 1982 “Trans” album is one such example) or come across as a desperate attempt to still be relevant (yes, Madonna can claim a place on that side too.)
Brisbane raised -but a bit of a trans Pacific traveller in the Sia style- is Bec Laughton, now making music as RIVAH. After releasing a few singles under this new name in 2018, a five track, self-titled EP, gathering those singles and a couple of other tracks together, is now available. To be fair, the music here isn’t so much a full-on reinvention of the soulful electro-pop Laughton produced when she was living in Brisbane, more of a blending of the sounds and influences she’s experienced while living and working in Los Angeles.
So, what you get is a development on her original inspiration to follow a musical career, as in Lauryn Hill’s seminal The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The urban groove is clearly in evidence on Cheerleader which, to be honest, doesn’t break new ground lyrically, but Laughton does put her sweet-girl vocals through some hoops and loops. There is nothing wrong with an artist showcasing their admiration for another talented performer and putting out work that has the flavour of the original, though the trick is not to have the taste sour.
Does Laughton serve up something familiar but still enjoyable? The stomper of a track Flood puts a driving, almost desperate beat in through the lyric line and succeeds well. Worry Bout It has a strong Sia influence, though Laughton was doing similar work before she left Brisbane for LA, so perhaps this just has a bit of that West Coast polish and cred?
The first and last tracks on the EP are an example of a good bookend to this semi-new material she is offering. Untame was the first release mid-2018 -that announced her new name in a slow, smoky style- and the EP closes with Transitional Love, a nice piece of moody pop that rolls around between the ears with a teasing vibe and tells about the loneliness felt, even in big, noisy cities.
Laughton should find success under the RIVAH banner, seeing as similar Brisbane alumni Wafia, Eve Karydas (who did her own subtle rebranding last year) and the breaking-big Hatchie are garnering substantial interest here and overseas. More young women making music that speaks to their truth is a very good thing.
- Blair Martin.