Album Review: Liam Kazar – Pilot Light
There’s something quietly reassuring about an artist who doesn’t rush to reinvent, but instead refines. That’s what Liam Kazar’s sophomore album Pilot Light feels like. Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based Kazar offers a warm continuation of his debut, Due North, only this time with a smarter production approach and deeper emotional footing. It’s the work of someone who knows his lane and loves it.
Having not been too familiar with his music, I went back to Due North for this review and immediately noticed the growth in sound. Fans should expect the same thoughtful songwriting, but with specific decisions that give a grounded, more confident presentation of Kazar’s songs.
The best way I can describe the sound of this album is that it is comforting. It is vulnerable and raw, but also steady. It’s the kind of record made by someone who genuinely loves the sound he grew up in. The production is no-frills and approachable, letting the warmth of the songs speak for themselves.
The most notable influence I hear, and the only one I plan to name, is Josh Ritter. There’s a similar sense of storytelling and subtle wit woven through Kazar’s brand of folk-pop Americana (specifically on “Didn’t I”) and jazzy rhythm (mores on “The Word The War”). It’s a melting pot of his musical upbringing, leaning into that roots-soul sensibility that feels both familiar and lived-in.Advertisementhttps://edge.aditude.io/safeframe/1-1-1/html/container.html
The closing track, “Next Time,” is worth noting to me as this one felt a bit more of a love letter to music more than a love letter to Kazar’s music. It feels like a subtle, modern take on some 70s classic, with soft guitar and hypnotic bass lines leading you into some hum of a memory you can’t quite place.
Lyrically, Kazar remains in lockstep with his sound: heartfelt, ruminative, and contemplative. There are no dramatic twists or sonic detours and that’s what makes it work. Pilot Light doesn’t win your attention by complicating the music; it earns your attention quietly. It’s an empathetic, human listen that glows with understated confidence.
Pilot Light is out everyone on 11/7. Listen to its three singles here.