Lexa Gates brings new album ‘I Am’ to London
The singer wowed the crowd at Camden’s KOKO.
Photo: Press
The album can be described as a self-aware and honest stream of thoughts, performed through New York f*ck you angst. The show begins with It Goes On, the first song of the album, where Lexa Gates sings, “and I remember where I was, where I am, where I will be.” This line lays down the foundations of I Am, which is a search for the meaning in life, love, career and, as the title hints, self.
The past, present and future are what journey the audience through this concert. These different moments in time are internalised and then rhymed together in the angular sounds of Lexa Gates’ Queens accent. Some songs are stoic in their conclusion, and others are confused or apathetic.
Gates puts her own spin on these old-time swing tracks like (Lord) Send Me Somebody. Gates infuses her flow of rap into these songs and adds a flair of city girl grit to beloved tracks. Beginning the show with It Goes On, Gates samples Come Home Soon by The Intruders, another solemn ‘60s track. Her version of this melody has an endearing outlook on treading the path of life by coming out the other end to then meet a longer ongoing road that ‘goes on and on’. This optimism can also be heard in other songs like Past it and Nothing to Worry About.
Gates, more often than not, concludes that“everything’s alright” and there’s “nothing to worry about,” which is a peaceful reminder for listeners who are sharing similar life experiences to hers.
Between the gaps of introspection, Gates has a rich relatability in her music, showcased in songs like Estranged and Lately, Nothing, where she’s ‘still tryna figure out something’.
These songs about love and relationships relay Gates’ experience navigating through the changes and frustrations of her early twenties. Her music is soaked in this fun and flippant personality, which was more prominent than ever on stage. Gates’ subtle twerking and flirting with a chair were familiar to an audience that knows her online personality.
Through the casual conversation with the audience, the performance steered away from the conventional separation of performer and audience member. Gates’ songs felt more like an in-depth conversation on her career, relationships and attitudes to life. Lexa could have almost been one of the fans lined up outside Camden’s venue, with her laid-back performance and personable attitude. This closed the gap of pedestalizing a celebrity, purely due to a raised platform known as the stage, as she was humble and endearing in her approach to the show.
Despite the small subgenre Lexa Gates lands in, her fans proved to be dedicated by engaging word-for-word with her set. It was minimal set-up-wise, with just a mic stand, a chair and a raised platform for Gates to share her music. The show was nothing too flamboyant or separate from the audience. This performance choice is a direct reflection of Gates’ laid-back attitude and likeable online presence, which makes one feel as though she could just be an old friend you keep up to date with over Instagram.
