Never-Ending Line: A Female Song Cycle, composed by Jaime Lozano, is released via Broadway Records. It features a group of female lyricists (Lindsay Erin Anderson, Neena Beber, Lauren Epsenhart, Sami Horneff, Victoria Kühne, Lisa Mongillo, Marina Pires, Noemi de la Puente, and June Rachelson-Ospa). Inspired by his upbringing in a strong matriarchy, Lozano conceived A Never-Ending Line as a tribute to the women in his life. The songs explore the unique challenges women face in society today on the journey to find happiness, love, and meaning in their lives...

Never-Ending Line: A Female Song Cycle features the vocal talents of Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party), Betsy Wolfe (Waitress, Falsettos), Emily Skeggs (Tony Award nominee for Fun Home), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Jenna Ushkowitz (Glee), Samantha Massell (Fiddler on the Roof), Hannah Shankman (Wicked), Natalie Weiss (Everyday Rapture, American Idol), Alena Watters (The Cher Show, West Side Story), Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin, In The Heights), Alex Finke (Come From Away), Alexa Green (Wicked), Sherz Aletaha (Disaster!), Genny Lis Padilla (On Your Feet!), Indra Palomo, Florencia Cuenca (A Never-Ending Line), Barrie Kealoha (Carmen La Cubana), Anne Fraser Thomas (Broadway Inspirational Voices), Kim Sava (Beetlejuice), Linedy Genao (Dear Evan Hansen, On Your Feet!), Jennifer Sanchez (Pretty Women, Sunday in the Park with George), LaDonna Burns (Caroline, or Change), Natalie Toro (A Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserables), Nora Schell (Jagged Little Pill), Michelle Beth Herman (Les Miserables Ntal. Tour), Jennifer DiNoia (Wicked), Doreen Montalvo (On Your Feet!, In the Heights), Ramona Keller (Public Theater Hercules, Brooklyn), Whitney Bashor (The Bridges of Madison County), and Alyssa Fox (Frozen).

The 17 tracks (1 hr, 12 min, 01 sec) are a mixed bag. There's comedy ('Why I'm Single'), instantly accessible familiar sounding themes ('A Never-Ending Line') the odd rather dull song ('Lost in the World'), and tracks that sound like they're highlights from a popular Broadway musical (You, My Son (Alonzo's Song)').

Highlights include the opening 'A Never-Ending Line', which reminded me of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's songs on Freaky Friday. 'Why I'm Single', a humourous look at dating. 'You, My Son (Alonzo's Song)', a beautiful melancholic song. 'Seven Days', a catchy, engaging track. 'If You Break My Sister's Heart' another comedic song, but also a bit of an earworm.

Overall this is an interesting album which throws out some surprisingly engaging songs.

7

Daisy May