Vagabon: Sorry I Haven’t Called

Thanks to the Summer Concert series at Hudson Yards, eager fans, music enthusiasts, and lucky passersby gathered at the outdoor Wells Fargo Stage to enjoy a free live performance from Lætitia Tamko, better known as Vagabon. Standing with her guitar, synth, and two bandmates, the Cameroonian-American artist boasted her multi-instrumental talents on an outdoor stage between the iconic Vessel landmark and the Hudson river. Her fusion of electronic sounds and distinctive instrumentals creates music that is experimental, yet captivating. With soft yet passionate vocals on top of that, Vagabon arranges soundscapes that swallow listeners in.

In anticipation of her upcoming third album releasing in September, Vagabon performed a few songs from Sorry I Haven’t Called, including “Carpenter,” “Do Your Worst,” and “Can I Talk My Shit?” New melodies were a pleasure to hear, especially in the golden hour light that seemed to perfectly reflect the mood. Especially showcased by the live performance was her ability to layer her voice with digital and instrumental sounds.

This special one-off performance allowed Vagabon to expose herself to new listeners, but also was limiting to her as an artist. During “Can I Talk My Shit?” she laughed while trying to censor herself, saying that she was told she wasn’t allowed to swear. Thankfully, she has her own headlining tour starting in October, where I hope to revel in her unapologetic self-expression and innovative artistry.