Shura - I Got Too Sad For My Friends

'I Got Too Sad For My Friends' embraces two distinct moods: the first half is self-deprecating, but finds the humour within it; the second arrives through tears that have been held back too long. Shura's third album sees her trading the polished electronic sheen of her earlier work for something more organic and emotionally raw.

Opening with 'Tokyo', Shura wraps listeners in arrangements that feel like finding the last empty armchair in a packed winter pub. These early tracks bounce with an infectious energy and abundance of wit; 'World's Worst Girlfriend' is a particular highlight.

Around the halfway mark, the mood shifts. What began as a playful exploration of sadness morphs into a profound meditation on isolation and emotional burden. 'Richardson', featuring ethereal harmonies from Cassandra Jenkins, sees Shura fully embracing the vulnerability that gives the album its title.

The live recording approach throughout captures a raw authenticity that perfectly matches the album's themes - you can practically hear the wooden chairs creaking between chord changes. The careful layering of woodwinds and occasional Hammond organ adds warmth to potentially stark confessionals.

'I Got Too Sad For My Friends' represents an artist brave enough to document the messy reality of being human, the smiles and tears behind the melancholy. Growing up doesn't mean leaving your younger self behind - it just means learning to hold space for all your various selves at once.