From the moment Lianne La Havas starts to sing on “Paper Thin,” it’s captivating. Her voice has a stirring, emotive presence that demands attention without having to reach for the rafters. Instead, the rafters come to her, drawn into the tales of heartache she weaves light touch. This is the type of song that could reach everyone and anyone.
Besides her expressive voice that exudes passion with every syllable, La Havas’ understated guitar playing adds another pleasing element, with the strings sliding and picked-out to articulate pangs of wistfulness. Together, her voice and guitar craft a piece meant for quiet moments of reflection or melancholy.
“Paper Thin” will appear on La Havas’ self-titled third album, out on July 17.