Liz Tormes - Limelight (CD)

Released quietly but with a long afterlife, “Limelight” plays like the kind of album listeners discover rather than are told about — a record that pulls you into its world and stays with you. NYC-by-way-of-Nashville singer-songwriter Liz Tormes possesses a “gorgeous, soulful voice,” according to No Depression, while Performing Songwriter noted that her “seemingly effortless vocals glide across graceful melodies, drawing you into her darkly beautiful songs,” adding that “if Aimee Mann and Neko Case had a little sister who was politely clamoring for the spotlight, Tormes is what you’d hear.” The production is spare yet assured, giving each arrangement room to breathe, with guest vocals from Amy Helm and Teddy Thompson adding warmth and depth. 

What gives “Limelight” its staying power is the tension it sustains between darkness and light. The songs find their strength in contrast — melody against mood, clarity against grit — and carry a quiet confidence that knows exactly when to lean in and when to pull back. Press has noted how Tormes’ voice balances innocence with a hint of menace, bridging roots sensibilities with a subtle, haunting edge. The Village Voice hailed her as a songwriter who “ranks among the very best,” while Skyscraper Magazine called the record a striking display of talent in both performance and production. Performing Songwriter put it simply: “Don’t miss her first effort.” This album feels fully realized — atmospheric but direct, intimate without being insular, and built to reward listeners who spend time inside its emotional range.
For fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Sharon Van Etten, and Elliott Smith. 

The jacket opens like a small book, with all lyrics printed inside — an invitation to slow down, read along, and disappear into the music. 10 tracks total.