In “Shadow of Lately,” Kassi Valazza delivers a hauntingly beautiful meditation on emotional inertia and the longing for change. The third single from her latest album, From Newman Street, the track finds Valazza navigating the bittersweet terrain of post-breakup isolation, drawing from her time in Portland following a five-year relationship’s end. Her lyrics, rich with imagery, “Out the car window / Through Saint Johns Park”, evoke a sense of drifting through familiar landscapes that now feel distant
The song is anchored by Erik Clampitt’s dreamy pedal steel and Lewi Longmire’s subtle electric guitar, creating a soundscape that recalls the introspective folk of Sandy Denny and early Joni Mitchell. Valazza’s voice, described as “viscous, light gold,” swirls with emotion, capturing the essence of being “stuck in one place” while yearning for movement.
“Shadow of Lately” encapsulates the delicate balance between melancholy and hope, offering listeners a poignant reflection on the cycles of life and love. It’s a testament to Valazza’s ability to transform personal introspection into universal resonance.
