Boston, USA’s Leah Callahan hit my radar in 2024 thanks to her fourth studio album, Curious Tourist. Now she’s back with her boldest effort to date.

By Graeme Smith

Our Lady of the Sad Adventure is a bombastic album full of cinematic flavours of indie rock. In it, Callahan plays fast and loose with genre, letting the tracks choose their own style while keeping things coherent.

Jangly guitars accompany gentle melodies and Callahan’s soft vocals. Her stories feel intimate, not shying away from life’s tougher moments and emotions. This intimacy combined with an epic instrumental backdrop is arresting.

Despite being Bostonian, Callahan brings a distinctly British style to the album. There are elements of ‘60s psychedelia, ‘90s Madchester and Britpop. I even heard more recent influences such as in the funky, Foals-esque title track.

The album ends raucously with the plucky, punky heartbreak anthem I Remember, originally recorded by Molly Drake. The album’s closing chapter epitomises Callaghan’s ability to flip darkness into something uplifting.

With her new album, Callahan is proving that she can tear up the musical rulebook and make something that just works. Her music brings depth and delight.

Our Lady of the Sad Adventure is out now, and you can listen to it below.

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