In 2013 she came back with the album Fire Within, including the hypnotically beautiful lead single ‘Wings’ and a handful of pretty ballads. Her first album full of fragile indie covers sold well, but back then it wasn’t clear if she would be able to repeat the same success with her own music.
With more life, richer texture, and an inspiring attitude, Beautiful Lies is Birdy's declaration that she is more than able to make her mark in the big leagues and join the ranks of the alternative pop pantheon.Birdy shows vocal and lyrical growth on third recordīelieve it or not, but it is already five years ago that Jasmine van den Bogaerde, better known as Birdy, stormed the music scene at the age of 14 with her piano cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’. "Turn out the light, there are no more surprises to come," she sings, as the album takes its last breath. While Birdy is indeed growing up (she was 19 at the time of release), nods to her origins are present on the piano ballads "Lost It All," the soothing "Unbroken," and the closing title track, a sparse beauty that ends Beautiful Lies with a kiss goodbye. Midtempo breathers like "Shadow" and "Words" comfort, while the atmospherics on "Take My Heart" and "Save Yourself" haunt like ballads by Vaults or Bat for Lashes. There is also a nice balance to Beautiful Lies that creates a fuller, more satisfying listening experience. One such highlight, the beautiful "Hear You Calling," infuses the album with a power only previously hinted at on prior works. Beautiful Lies' most uplifting moments, such as the full-throttle "Keeping Your Head Up" and the urgent "Wild Horses," provide touches of elevation and empowerment, similar to much of Foxes' 2016 release, All I Need. That refreshing quirkiness is also present on the wistful "Silhouette," which includes a surprising flourish that wouldn't be out of place on a Joanna Newsom or Regina Spektor track.
On the lush opener "Growing Pains," she incorporates East Asian-influenced melody into a swelling, powerful chorus that echoes the aforementioned Del Rey with a little Kate Bush sprinkled on top. While her sophomore effort (and first comprising original songs) bolstered her sound with livelier production - harnessing the energy of OneRepublic, whose Ryan Tedder co-wrote a pair of tracks - Beautiful Lies brings a depth that pulls Birdy from Ingrid Michaelson territory and into a scene occupied by Lorde, Florence, and Lana.
When she had her breakout "Skinny Love" moment at the age of 14, her vulnerable voice and stripped-down acoustics conveyed a fragility and innocence indicative of the indie material she covered on her self-titled debut. On her third album, Beautiful Lies, Birdy (born Jasmine van der Bogaerde) continues her evolution from acoustic covers singer to confident and powerful artist.
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