Lauran Hibberd, Garageband Superstar Review

Lauran Hibberd is a singer and songwriter from Isle of Wight with a unique brand of pop-rock built on catchy guitar hooks and insistently memorable melodies. She is now releasing her long-awaited record debut, Garageband Superstar, which conjures ’90s pop and rock. After surveying the eleven tracks on the album, her gift for writing melodies will stay with you. The perfectly dirty guitar tones will also grab your attention. The project walks the line of pop-rock and punk rock with a finished sheen. That being said, Hibberd is making open-minded music and is ready for a broad audience of taste.

Garageband Superstar opens with a catchy selection called “Rollercoaster.” Hibberd’s staccato speak-singing is enriched with full backing vocals in the chorus and a likable simple beat. “Still Running” stays in the same vein as the opener; a memorable melodic approach remains the focus, traversing pop-rock and punk foundations with a speak-singing approach. “Hot Boys” finds Hibberd channeling her candy-coated pop sensibilities into this melody and song form. Her vocal style smooths out a bit, becoming less staccato and more fluid. This is a solid sound for her and one she explores on “Garageband Superstar” and “I’m Insecure” also. Overall, Garageband Superstar emphasizes Hibberd’s blend of pop-rock and punk in a collective manner that shows she is an individual and not a follower of the crowd. Though her singing is very staccato and mostly speak-singing, she explores a creative approach to music making by combining today’s elements of pop with a healthy dose of 70s rock and punk. This is curiously addicting if not essential to the album’s success. That’s the short of it!