SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JULIANA HATFIELD – LIGHTNING MIGHT STRIKE

JULIANA HATFIELD
LIGHTNING MIGHT STRIKE
AMERICAN LAUNDROMAT RECORDS

Juliana Hatfield, founding member of Blake Babies and the front of The Juliana Hatfield Three, creates her 20^th solo album in her 30+ year-long career, Lightning Might Strike. Two years after her previous album, Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO and its single, “I’m Alive” b​/​w “When I Was A Boy”, which were both released in November 2023, she returns, bringing with a 12-track album containing the theme of change and dynamic. This album shows her unwavering position as a titan of indie rock and pop.

Hatfield displays her expertise in vibratos and sustaining notes, with the stretched tone implementing itself into the album. Her voice can still be pointed out among the masses in the fields of both rock and pop. Just like many of her songs, this album consists of music that is intimate and heartfelt, speaking of experiences that resonate with many listeners, like many her songs have for women worldwide. These songs bring old-time listeners back to the songs that first gave major recognition to Hatfield’s talent such as “My Sisters” from The Juliana Hatfield Three, in which many would find similar elements when listening to certain songs on Lightning Might Strike.

“Fall Apart” is a great opener with the lingering ring of her voice synchronizing with the guitar strums. Being her own choir just enhances the intensity of this song while still making it all the more personal. The guitar in “Popsicle” has a country tone, which paired with her partially monotone singing in this track, forms music that you just can’t help nodding to when it comes ups on the speaker no matter what you are doing. “Scratchers” can stand as the poster song for the album, not only using all the elements mentioned, but once you hear those lyrics in the song’s resolution, you’ll never be able to listen to the album without hearing its echo.

Lightning Might Strike is an album that can proudly stand among Hatfield’s other works, becoming a one-woman army with a choir, harmony, and synchronization, all from a single voice tying this album together as a Hatfield-dense package. Hatfield has been in the music industry for decades and this album shows that she not only endures but thrives. Lightning Might Strike is about change, but also circling back to the classic Juliana Hatfield, bringing with her the experience gained in her field.

Artist Links