Album Review — Levara

Levara — Levara

Levara is a brand new band featuring guitarist Trev Lukather, son of Toto guitarist Steve Lukather. The band also features Jules Galli (vocals) and Josh Devine (drums). Their debut self-titled record was released in May and I’ve wanted to check it out so here we go.

The first band I think of when I hear Levara is Maroon 5, or at least what Maroon 5 would sound like if they still sounded like they did on their first two records. The opening track, “Heaven Knows”, has a catchy beat and big hooks. There’s enough guitar to make it rock but it’s far from heavy. It’s a good start.

“Automatic” is up next and continues in a similar vein. Another catchy beat with a guitar riff running through. This one drives a little more with Galli’s soaring vocals. We get a nice solo from Lukather that fits the track nicely. A really strong track.

“Ever Enough” slowly builds to another catchy mid-tempo rocker. It’s a little more moody than the opening two tracks but still has that hook with a guitar riff that is there just enough to notice it. Lukather provides an inventive guitar solo.

“On For The Night” starts with another guitar part that sets the tone. This one is a little more poppy with almost a dance beat to it.

“Allow” starts with a tribal-like drumbeat but eventually makes it way to another catchy chorus. This one is a bit slower and moody in the verses but the chorus brightens it up.

A guitar part starts “Can’t Get Over” that continues through the verses. This one drives a little more and we get another catchy chorus. I wouldn’t call the track heavy but it does have a lot more going on.

“Chameleon” sounds like it could be a single. It also includes background vocals by Steve Perry. If you listen close enough you can hear him, at least that’s what I’m telling myself. Although the structure of the songs are fairly simple there is a lot going on sonically. Lots of layers with the vocals and plenty of interesting things happening musically.

“Ordinary” has an 80s pop feel to it. I hear a little Prince in this one.

“Just A Man” also has some 80s elements to it. It’s not one of the standout tracks although I do appreciate Galli’s vocal.

“No One Above You” wraps things up. It’s one of those tracks that slowly builds both musically and vocally and just sounds like an album closer.

This record sounds very polished. The songs are fairly simple structurally but there is a lot going on musically. I keep coming back to Maroon 5 with the similar vocal sound and the mix of rock, pop and some soul and dance. This sounds like what should have been the third Maroon 5 record in many ways.

This is a mood record for me. If I’m in the mood for something a little lighter and catchy then this record will satisfy. There aren’t any rough edges here as everything is quite smooth and polished. But the songs are filled with hooks that make them memorable, and in the end, it’s the songs that make a record.

90 out of 100

Track Listing

1. Heaven Knows *
2. Automatic *
3. Ever Enough *
4. On For The Night
5. Allow
6. Can’t Get Over *
7. Chameleon *
8. Ordinary
9. Just A Man
10. No One Above You *

*Best Songs