Laia Llach’s well-crafted and intimate original music on her debut album, with folk-pop elements, has a light twang and low-key earthiness that will take her far. Opening with the title cut, “Sol D'hivern” (Winter Sun) has a sensual mid-tempo groove that is bright and breezy. Press materials indicate that Laia Llach's collection of songs is full of warm and impressionistic depictions of the people she loves and those who surround and support her. Inspired by nature and its cycles, songs like “Mai Ha Estat Fàcil” (It Has Never Been Easy) and “Dos Segons” (Two Seconds) are sung with graceful, evocative assurance.

Working with producer and multi-instrumentalist Arnau Figueres, singer/songwriter Laia Llach also enlisted the help of Pau Figueres (guitar on two tracks) and Cesc Martorell (guitar or ukulele on two tracks). The Catalan folk-pop’s easy-going groove emphasizes sensitive lyrics inspired by everyday life, childhood memories, self-awareness , self-esteem, idealization of love, environmental and humanitarian crises. To provide optimism and encouragement, songs like “Serà La Pluja” (It Will Be Rain), “Llum” (Light) and “9 De Febrer” (February 9) are spare, delicate ballads that put the focus squarely on healing. 

Laia Llach hails from Valais. She studied clarinet, singing and music, before pursuing a degree in environmental studies and geology. After winning a 2019 Instagram contest, Llach started appearing on festival stages. She continues to find herself on festival stages, in the recording studio and competing in singer/songwriter contests. 

With only eight songs, Sol d'hivern draws to its conclusion fairly quickly, but its soothing sounds and sweetly understated vocals go down as smoothly as a steaming mocha latte on a chilly winter day. Sol d'hivern is being released on Barcelona-based world music label, La cate-nària.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)