Lauren O’Connell - “Horsefly”

Photo by Stephen Schauer

With all the grace and grit of Adrianne Lenker, Los Angeles-based Lauren O’Connell has delivered “Horsefly,” a raw and tender love story that begs you to live in the moment, regrets be damned. It’s quite probable that you’ve already had O’Connell’s music enter your ears at some point, whether  watching American Horror Story or The Good Wife, but their music deserves to be showcased here in the off chance that you’ve not yet discovered its brilliance.

“Horsefly” is a folk song, through and through. And from its glorious and dynamic arrangement, to its emotive and honest vocal performance, this one will have you crawling back to the play button and ugly crying like the day you discovered your ex’s Elliott Smith CD collection. There are some digital remnants that line the recording, such as the electronic keyboard that kickstarts the tune, but the acoustic guitar that quickly joins serves as a faithful reminder that the song was created by an actual human being.

And from this human being, there is an emotional integrity that rises and soars throughout the song’s entirety. As magnificently honest as the music presents itself, it will never fully prepare you for O’Connell’s knack at piecing together the perfect words that effectively display the raw emotion of their voice. The arrangement picks up some passengers on its journey, including some vibey notes from an electric guitar, as well as a gentle rhythm section. But the real highlight lies in the moments where the vocal harmonies tenderly embrace the lead.

If you are an unfortunate soul, without the ability to listen to music as you trudge through the daily grind, take some comfort in the fact that O’Connell’s lyrics read as though a poem that’s been fashioned from the very fibers of existence. But you’re going to need to get “Horsefly” in your ears ASAP, especially if, from time to time, you find yourself haunted by the memories of former love affairs.

-HD