Review: Laura Cox – Trouble Coming
earMusic (October 31st 2025)
Reviewer – Rob Howells
Behind every reviewed album lies a deadline, a stressed reviewer and an anxious editor “… man, where’s the copy!”
Fortuitously I picked up this, my debut assignment, a couple of weeks AFTER its release! So no stress .. hey!!
Got to level with you .. my music is the Blues .. I was raised on the Blues, I play Blues, I listen to the Blues, I present the Blues on my radio show and I practically live, eat and sleep the Blues … so when I heard about the new 4th studio album from the hugely talented Blues inspired Laura Cox, I couldn’t help put my hand up to our dear “Rockposer”
Opening up with her new single ‘No Need To Try Harder‘, Laura sets out her slide stall! There’s a mix of the Louisiana swamp in there, solid riffs and a rock steady rhythm section, simple stuff but effective … it should be a Blues Rock overture winner … but there’s something lacking and something too much .. is it the girlie group chorus .. I hear Kylie and Taylor. Less said ..
Gotta say, this tune tries too hard … too much of different genres, effects and way way over produced. Better to keep it simple, Laura!
Next up … ‘A Way Home‘ and we get down to it! This rocks … and keeps the listener on it. Raunchy vocals and nice tight guitar work, the latter of which she is a huge talent. And it is fair to say she’s clearly absorbed so many positive influences. But once again she introduces those sugar sweet verse endings.I have to ask what type of audience is she seeking? This is none of Rock, Blues Rock or Pop?
‘Trouble Coming‘ comes in at track 3, and promises much. Down home strong woman lyrics and the message is good! Then it’s blown by the overproduction and a conflicting vocal feel with way too much from unnecessary special effects. It’s another missed opportunity. Forgettable, I’m afraid.
‘Inside The Storm‘, middle of album, time for some solid serious stuff! But it sounds like so much that has preceded it! Heavy and rocking then going acoustic and girlband choruses plus … aghhh, overproduced synths and all the modern bells and whistles!!!! Another to forget.
On to track 5! ‘What Do You Know‘. It’s all deep and meaningful, worthy causes, but again girlband backing and losing its direction throughout
‘Dancing Around The Truth‘, I hear Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry, and with nice nice slide work, back to the late 70s and early 80s and all the better for it. Stand out stuff!!
‘Out Of The Blue‘ … ballad time! Country time! But here we go again, over orchestrated and trying too hard. A nice meaningful time tune full of pathos and humanity, but keep it simple!
‘The Broken‘, in at track 8. Here comes the Punk! I hear Blink, Tom Petty and Americana New Wavey kinda things, and I like it. Less is more! And it’s a great 2nd single off this album
‘Rise Together‘ … heavy! The Blues have finally arrived. Big bass line, with bells to boot! Laura going back to her roots, beseeching the guidance of the Blues, and with this single tune she redeems herself! Finally!
‘Do I Have Your Attention‘, the penultimate offering! A rocker, again with punk undertones. It’s not complicated, but that’s why it works! Guitarwork is great! Gutsy vocals. As her 4th album closes she’s wheeling out some memorable winners!!
‘Strangers Someday‘, her outro tune! Very much in the overall vibe of this album, atmospheric and brooding but then it goes saccharine. The Pop vibe is brought back, if you like MOR pop then this will please you. Maybe that’s where she’s heading, so au revoir!
Gotta say it’s forgettable, a missed opportunity like the whole album
Tracklisting:
- No Need to Try Harder
- A Way Home
- Trouble Coming
- Inside the Storm
- What Do You Know?
- Dancing Around the Truth
- Out Of The Blue
- The Broken
- Rise Together
- Do I Have Your Attention?
- Strangers Someday
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