Andreya Triana “Lost Where I Belong” (Ninja Tune, 2010) Rewrite

A classically soulful sound bellows out of the United Kingdom’s Brigton-based singer/songwriter Andreya Triana on her first 9-track album “Lost Where I Belong.” Within the first minute and a half, the album will transport you into a dimly lit, retro-jazz bar, sipping on a vodka and tonic with a cigarette in hand, each note of Triana’s jazzy and powerful voice more intoxicating than the liquor.

After providing vocals on Flying Lotus’ track “Tea Leaf Dancers,” Triana has scrapped the experimental-electronic genre for a jazz-pop and soul hybrid sound with sultry vocals. For some, this direction will be a disappointment, but for fans who also enjoy artists such as Sade, “Lost Where I Belong” can deliver.

The album keeps a good pace, bouncing between up-tempo, melancholy and contemplative moods. On the track “Lost Where I Belong,” the true poet in Triana comes out while singing about her literal writing process with the lyrics: “Staring at an empty page, again/ Searching deep within my soul/ Sometimes I don’t know where to, again.”

A moment of lyrical brilliance appears on “Daydreamers,” which is easily the darkest track on the album. The track leaves a hauntingly, gloomy feeling that will make one imagine how life could be different. The track is so smooth it will be hard for one to not get lost in the song and float away into a daydream of their own.
However, the depressive mood doesn’t last for long since the album is a concise 37 minutes. In the uplifting “Far Closer,” it feels like the moment one accepts moving on after a rough breakup, knowing everything will be fine, which expands the emotional journey this album is.

Tiana coos, “I guess that’s just the way it goes,” throughout the track “X,” which concludes the album with soft strings and bittersweet lyrics about accepting a breakup. This song is the perfect, sincere ending to an expressive album.

“Lost Where I Belong,” is a solid breakout release and although no tracks repeat a particular mood or sentiment, she could have expanded her range and taken some vocal risks, which her voice is capable of.

Additionally, fans will be disappointed if they are searching for the underground, electronic sound she possessed with Flying Lotus. However, “Lost Where I Belong” has her same voice, tone and truth she had on those breakout appearances. It’s an honest album that Triana sprinkles her life into through her lyrics, which won’t disappoint.