The Voyage Out

2025’s The Voyage Out was the first new album from the still underrated Lida Husik in seven years, and only her second overall in the 21st century, but it was well worth the wait just for the latest unexpected wrinkle in her wonderful body of work. For the first time, Husik released an album supported by a backing band, thanks to the rhythm section of Paul Montone and Luke Strahota. With Husik handling guitar and keyboards as well as her ever enjoyable singing, The Voyage Out kicks in with the sprightly funk-tinged groove of “Summer,” heralding an engaging new atmosphere for her music. It’s been very easy to sense the solo or one-on-one collaborative focus in her past albums, so getting the feeling of an in-the-moment jam on songs like the sweet lope of “Evil From Good” or the closing crunch of “Somebody’s Baby.” Whether it’s more dance numbers like “Boneshaker,” the 60s frug in the first half of “All The Year Round” or even a hint of French pop swing with the elegantly sung “Chanson pour Sylvie,” The Voyage Out is another remarkable example of Husik’s attractive, always welcome creative spark.