Liz Lawrence’s latest album, Vespers, is a poignant exploration of loss, centering on the passing of her sister and the emotional maelstrom that followed. Describing this period as the most profoundly altering of her life, Lawrence reflects on the beauty of the dying and the resilience of the living. The record serves as both a microscopic look at trauma and a broad meditation on the love that sustains us through tragedy.
Mt. Nephin
The album opens with “Mt. Nephin,” named after the mountain in County Mayo that overlooked the house where Lawrence’s family stayed during her sister Jessie’s final days. Lawrence describes the track as the prologue of a novel, offering a panorama of characters and a play-by-play of the experience. To capture the gravity of the moment, she utilized drones and a vocal style inspired by keening, the Gaelic tradition of laments for the dead.
Where Did You Go
Focusing on the minutiae of grief, “Where Did You Go” captures the disbelief that accompanies the transition from presence to absence. The track incorporates the rhythmic ticking of a metronome that belonged to Lawrence’s grandmother, symbolizing the insistent heartbeat of lives that must continue despite the surrounding sorrow.
Black Ulysses
In late 2024, Lawrence boarded the Ulysses ferry—a journey her sister was meant to take but never did. “Black Ulysses” addresses the chaos of a family tipped into devastation. Lawrence notes the fundamental shift in family dynamics when someone is lost “out of order,” describing her sister as the “boss” whose absence left everything previously solid in a state of flux.
Sister
“Sister” serves as a direct tribute to the unique bond between siblings. Lawrence highlights the fierce love and protection that co-exists with teenage conflicts. She emphasizes the irreplaceable honesty found in such relationships, noting that few people in life will tell you the truth with the same bluntness and affection as a sister.
Three-Legged Dog
Inspired by a Latin inscription on a monument near her home that translated to “a simple dog,” Lawrence found comfort in the image of a resilient creature. “Three-Legged Dog” explores the idea that despite hardship, there is enough in a sunny day and the simple presence of a companion to find a sense of peace.
Yves Blue
Drawing inspiration from Maggie Nelson’s Bluets and the artist Yves Klein, “Yves Blue” acknowledges the commonality of tragedy while expressing the inexpressible nature of sorrow. It is a reflection on the fact that no shade of blue could ever fully encapsulate the depth of the grief being felt.
A Good One
This track expands the scope of loss to a community level, depicting the shock of a small town facing sudden tragedy. “A Good One” builds to a crescendo of drums, intended to sound like the instruments are being thrown out of a window, mirroring the feeling of being hit by a “ton of bricks.”
Heaven Didn’t Need Another Angel
A brief but powerful “howl of pain,” this track is a moment where Lawrence allows herself to sit purely within her own sorrow, providing a raw and honest glimpse into the grieving process.
May Queen
“May Queen” paints a portrait of Jessie as a child, chosen for a local procession. Lawrence associates her sister with spring, growth, and her garden. The song contrasts the image of her with a flower crown in childhood against the reality of the end of her life.
Exploded Into Flowers
Recounting the story of Jessie’s funeral, “Exploded Into Flowers” uses the haunting image of a grave covered in a mound of blossoms. The track features a rousing string section and captures the sense of a massive occasion that lacks an adequate ritual to contain the emotion behind it.
Birthday Party
Written for her nieces on their first birthday without their mother, “Birthday Party” is an act of witnessing. Lawrence describes the Herculean effort required to ensure that children still have room for joy in their lives despite the weight of loss.
Thank God For You
The album concludes on a note of gratitude. “Thank God For You” was conceived after a counseling session where Lawrence was encouraged to make time for her partner amidst the chaos of grief. Featuring piano by Rae Morris and lush strings, the song offers a romantic and frank finale, providing the comfort and catharsis that Lawrence hopes the entire album will offer to its listeners.