Maybe Later is the self-produced debut LP of
Neighbor Lady, an Athens-formed, Atlanta-based indie rock quartet that includes members of
Reptar (drummer Andrew McFarland) and Semicircle (bass player Merideth Hanscom), among other connections to the Georgia indie scene. Their sound is colored by a noir-ish alt-country that's rooted not only in stylized guitars, but also the more natural twang of lead singer Emily Braden, who founded the project. Her drawl is accompanied by a rich tone in the tradition of classic vocal pop that takes a sultry turn in the context of the dreamy, yearning tunes here. What starts as an intriguing sound becomes potent in tandem with seductive songs like the lead track "Let It Bleed." Musically and lyrically cautionary, the guitar's repeated low-pitch, chromatic intervals accompany lyrics like "You say you’d do anything for me/But you hardly even know me." Similarly, the anti-torch song "Consider Me Mean" can't manage to return any affection. Ambling arpeggiated guitar backs a lilting melody on that song, whose atmosphere thickens with sustained keys, echo, and conspicuous crash cymbal. Elsewhere, the more volatile, driving retro rock of "Silently, Separately" only pauses to linger on a howling guitar solo and the word "wrong." Like an opening act that wins over the crowd and hurries off-stage, Maybe Later is brief at seven tracks, but omits any filler for a solid, tuneful debut. ~ Marcy Donelson