Lydia Loveless’s performance at the Mercury Lounge was buzzing with fans from across every walk of life. Cowboys, young friends, couples, and the lone man in a fur-lined denim jacket all lined up for a sighting of Loveless singing her heartfelt folk in person. The blend of characters mirrors her distinctive world. An amalgamation of every piece of herself: the young, the old, the lone, the in love, and the free-spirited. The Lower East Side’s Mercury Lounge is wrought with history, the venue has held space for acts such as Radiohead, Interpol, Lana Del Rey, and Katy Perry—an esteemed venue on the corner of Houston announcing itself in deep blue light, Mercury. Loveless filled the iconic establishment, transforming the room into her corner of the universe.

Loveless’ voice can be described as nothing short of sheer talent. Growing up in a family of music lovers and taking inspiration from her father’s music career, it is clear that she was born into her craft- a natural. Her demand on stage was excellent. She often interrupted her numbers to give insights into her songwriting processes, “People say, don’t write a song about me. Well then, don’t do shitty things to me.” Often calling out to the audience as if everyone in the space was an old friend, she was comfortable in command. Her father booked musicians at a local venue in her hometown in Ohio growing up, Loveless grew up next to out-of-town acts, local bands, and the camaraderie of live performance. Her stage presence reflects this experience as she is a stage veteran.

Her emotional depth is felt in the heavy heartfelt songs. She explained the pandemic’s effects on her latest album and how her mother bought her an airstream trailer. It is in this trailer where she spent her days in the rural wooded spaces of North Carolina where she currently resides. The pandemic was difficult and took its toll- Lydia managed to find her inspiration in these places of solitude and discontent. “Mississippi Blue,” considers the ramifications of these experiences: an ode to the safety the mountains had provided during this difficult time of global upheaval.

Loveless’ inspiration draws heavily from her folk upbringing, with harder punk influences in tracks like, “I Do What I Want,” her angsty twang is always in the undercurrent of the songs. Loveless’ music spills out an inner world, the devices of her heavy voice and acoustic guitar aiding her in allowing the listener to escape into a landscape of heartbreak and rebellion. Many of the tracks reference lost love, the familiar emotions universal in their relatability. Her powerful evocative lyrics use words to express the indescribable pain of loss, and comparatively the valiance it takes to choose yourself, prioritizing your own experience. Loveless is a natural-born talent, an excellent performer, and a kindred spirit.