REVIEW: 'is anyone listening?' by Lisa Heller
Lisa Heller
Mental Health & Incredible Lyricism.
Los Angeles indie-pop artist Lisa Heller has released her second EP titled ‘is anyone listening’ which features six pop ballads, including “red flags,” a song that drew instant attention and has garnered over 160,000 streams on Spotify.
Heller, who originally grew up in Connecticut, opening for various acts at her local radio station Hartford 96.5, made the move to Los Angeles in 2019, devoting herself to music. Her songs combine poppy electronica and soulful lyrics that strike a serious tone and relay a rather important message.
Most readers who habitually view my IndieWavves column know that I typically have difficulty listening to the traditional pop genre. With that said, I haven’t had any problem getting into Lisa’s music; in fact, I keep coming back for more.
Aside from being super catchy and well-produced, this record comes from the heart and strikes an important tone about mental health at a time when so many are struggling. Heller has a way of incorporating deeply resonant lyrics into her songs while simultaneously maintaining her ethos as a dynamic pop artist.
One of the key messages I take away from this EP is that focusing on proper mental health shouldn’t come at acceptable times or when society says. As I said, many have struggled with their mental health throughout the covid-19 pandemic, but this has only exacerbated, not been the source of, anxiety and mental health issues for people across the country and the globe. Even as the world starts to open up, it is vital that society, and pop culture, in particular, change how mental health is framed and discussed. People should be lifted and encouraged rather than shut down for being brave enough to express their anguish or anxieties.
About her song “Pity Party,” Heller writes, “I think everyone has these feelings about their life at moments. Everyone is capable of getting in those headspaces, but we’re also capable of getting back out of them. I wanted to stop feeling sorry for myself, acknowledge that this is a part of life, and turn the subject matter on its head with a whimsical production and chorus.”
Heller actually began songwriting and recording as a relief from her anxiety, which is evident on this record and in her work overall. Lisa is definitely in touch with her inner self and far ahead of the game in terms of lyrical expression.
Many of the best bands and artists never truly tap into their emotions. Instead, they write interesting but often meaningless lyrics with solid guitar licks and backbeats. I would argue that Heller’s music is the opposite, for this record allows a somewhat understated drum machine and electronic backbeat to accompany the true star of each song, her incredible lyricism.
As a whole, I believe Lisa Heller’s development as a singer-songwriter is leaps and bounds ahead of the current pop genre, and therefore she is destined for success. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Written by Patrick Breen
Photo by Charissa Clark