Sea Lemon Wins With 'Diving for a Prize'

Why not loosen your tie for the park?
Shoulder some of the weight later on?
Outside people are screaming for something
Don’t stare into the corner for far too long

Sit, relax, and take a deep breath. Natalie Lew, the voice behind Sea Lemon, not only commands your attention, but has the ability to soothe your soul. Sea Lemon's debut, Diving for a Prize, is an audio dreamscape that infuses the personal experiences of Lew to create what perhaps may be the next soundtrack for your life.

With a superior production quality, Diving for a Prize is the ideal summer listen. The sound is that of a beachside adventure, where you can feel the sand between your toes, and the washing of waves across your body. Diving for a Prize is a culmination of a life lived by the ocean, and one raised in the Pacific Northwest. Crafted from eight months of songwriting and studio sessions with collaborator Andy Park (Death Cab for Cutie), Diving for a Prize is a stunning introduction. The dream pop album was released by Luminelle Recordings.

Sea Lemon describes Diving for a Prize as a "series of vignettes" from her life. The first vignette, "Thought for You," references unsolicited feedback and trying to figure out what to do with it. The artist pairs pensive lyrics with playful riffs, which continues throughout the album. Overall, Diving for a Prize is cohesive from start to finish.

One of my favorite songs of the release, "Stay," is a call to rest amid the chaos. A perfectly meditative song, "Stay" is a welcome urge to stand still (coming from an anxious person, this song was a Godsend).

On Instagram, Lew has kept things personal. Online, she is posting track by track, what all the songs on Diving for a Prize mean to her. Each entry has its own backstory, similar to an audio diary. About "Change Your Face," she explained, "you ever change your mind from absolutely hellishly depressed to totally cool? me too. That's what this song is all about! It's about that being ok! Being like 'I'll never move to LA' and then moving there months later, and that being normal! Change your mind! But also, I get your plight 😶Have you ever changed your mind and done a 180 on something completely??? Tell me."

There are no skips on this album. Other notable tracks are "Give In," "Sweet Anecdote," and "Cynical," which was recently featured in an episode of Grey's Anatomy. "Cynical," although with a fun and bubbly beat, cleverly masks... well, cynical lyrics.

"Crystals" and "In the Flowers" round out Diving for a Prize. "Crystals" features vocalist and guitarist Benjamin Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service) on a melancholy duet that showcases the power of letting go. Lew and Gibbard fit together sonically, creating a hauntingly beautiful song. "In the Flowers" is a bit more upbeat, but still leaves the listener longing.

Diving for a Prize as far as music goes, is a winner. Deeply introspective, Sea Lemon shows she is committed to diving deeper into the depths of her artistry. Here's to hoping that she continues to rise to the surface. Sea Lemon, I've got a thought for you, "You're doing great."

Sea Lemon's Diving for a Prize is available on all major streaming services as of May 30th. The vinyl LP will be available on June 13th via Bandcamp.