With the wether dipping to chilly levels and the days turning into nights much faster, it’s the perfect time of year for a spectral record such as Right From Real, the debut album from Lydia Ainsworth. For a debut album, it’s as readymade as they come. She has an established voice, sound, and construct. After becoming well acquainted with her music, it won’t be surprising to learn that she studied how to score films at both McGill and NYU, and even scored the 2011 film The Woods. She has a vision and knows how to build towards the vision in her own unique passage.
I had a very short lists of artists I had to catch this CMJ at all costs, and Ainsworth was very high on that list. After being wowed by Tei Shi, Ainsworth gave the room a chill ethereal turn, but one that was totally engrossing and captivating. She takes no short cuts live, bringing a live violin and cello player, as well as a live drummer to accompany her synth-work. It paid off dividends, totally submersing me into the familiar mood of the album. After performing the album’s tracks, she finished us off with a cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” It’s one of the most covered songs out there, but when artists like Ainsworth can bring their own spin to the table, it reminds us why.
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