REVIEW: Laura Sawosko — Not What I Do (LP)
Laura Sawosko is the kind of artist who could make reading a grocery list sound poetic. Fortunately, on Not What I Do, she’s doing much more than that — delivering 12 tracks packed with gut-punch storytelling, razor-sharp wit, and melodies so warm they could double as your grandma’s famous apple pie. It’s her sixth album, but somehow, it feels like we’re just now meeting her for the first time.
WEBSITE: https://www.laurasawosko.com/
Sawosko has been in the game for a while — she played Lilith Fair back in the late ’90s (yes, with the Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow), survived TV’s Fear Factor (literally rode a bull for her music career), and even scored a win on America’s Funniest Home Videos. So yeah, she’s not your average singer-songwriter. But while she’s got the backstory of a folk hero, it’s her music that really does the talking.
Not What I Do is a perfect blend of heart, humor, and just enough grit to keep things from getting too sentimental. She kicks things off with “You Just Being You,” a breezy, windows-down anthem that sounds like it could be on the soundtrack of a coming-of-age movie starring Florence Pugh. Then there’s “Biscuits and Gravy,” a song that might trick you into thinking it’s about breakfast (spoiler: it’s about way more than that). If Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves had a songwriting baby, it would probably sound like this.
Then comes “Rhinestones for Pearls.” It hits you with the kind of wisdom that only comes from realizing that, yes, life sometimes swaps your big dreams for “life lessons” (and no, they don’t always come with a refund). Meanwhile, “College Days” is pure nostalgia bait, the kind of song that makes you want to text your freshman-year roommate and apologize for stealing their Pop-Tarts.
But it’s not all looking in the rearview mirror. “Take My Hand” is one of the album’s heaviest moments, touching on the love for a parent during their most vulnerable moments. It’s tender without being overly dramatic, packing a punch with its quiet strength.
The title track, “Not What I Do,” is a masterclass in the art of the slow burn. It starts off subtle before growing into a heartfelt statement — kind of like the way Phoebe Bridgers songs ruin your whole day (in the best way possible). And then there’s “More Than Just a Burger,” proving once and for all that yes, she can turn any moment into a profound piece of art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIjGgqAZLNk
Sonically, the album keeps things simple: acoustic guitars, raw vocals, and a bit of piano for good measure. It’s got that laid-back, unfiltered vibe that makes you feel like you just walked into a Nashville listening room on the best possible night. Producer Vaughn Loftstead keeps the production tight but never overcooked — because when you’ve got songs this good, you don’t need to hide behind bells and whistles.
By the time she closes things out with “Not Your Reason” — a quiet, powerful reminder to never let anyone else define you — it’s clear that Not What I Do isn’t just an album. It’s a life lesson, a therapy session, and a damn good time all rolled into one.
Laura Sawosko might not be topping the Billboard Hot 100 (yet), but she’s doing something even better: making music that actually means something. And in 2025, that’s a rare find.
Colin Jordan
