Local Music Review: Lonlark – A Whole House 

Lonlark
A Whole House
Self-Released
Street: 02.20.2026
Lonlark = Billie Marten + Laney Jones + Eleni Drake 

Elisabeth “Libbie” Linton, despite having made music for the past 16 years, was a name I had not heard before listening to her most recent EP, A Whole House. For not having heard her voice before, it sure feels incredibly familiar. I don’t mean to say that she sounds too similar to other female folk artists, but that her voice holds the same familiarity as a mother’s hum wandering from the garden. Upon listening to A Whole House, it felt as though I could hear my own mother singing along to each track. This proves the comfort that can be found within this new EP. Linton’s vocals are yellowed leaves dancing in the second summer air, the shout of a child fallen on woodchips, the perfect soundtrack to this forthcoming autumn. 

Linton, who produces music under the name Lonlark, introduces the listener to an example of alternative folk that feels far more authentic than much of the folk being produced today. She writes mindful poetic verses that thankfully lack the droning clichés so often found within folk music. She doesn’t seem to be conforming to the average folk audience, and because of this, I believe she will develop a more sincere fan base. Although it is entirely subjective, I do believe the femininity of Linton’s vocals brings so much genuineness to her music. There are so many talented male folk artists, but we all know certain stories require a female narrator. 

With Linton’s soft vocals and acoustic instruments, all five songs on the EP could be sung as a lullaby. A Whole House sounds like a CD my mother would have played throughout my childhood, one I would later rediscover and listen to out of a desire to find myself closer to innocence and individuality.  

Linton’s song “Dandelion” encapsulates a kind of love you’d expect to only find between a mother and child, and maybe that is exactly the feeling that Libbie is channeling when writing these lyrics. “Taker” is the most fast-paced song on the EP and still has a very mellow melody. “Taker” also features Mideau, a duo consisting of Libbie Linton and Spencer Harrison. It is clear how Harrison’s presence alters the music; there is a distinct difference between the songs Linton solos on and her duo work with Mideau. Linton and Harrison have been releasing music as Mideau since 2013, and although their music is definitely less folky, I highly recommend checking them out. 

It may be becoming obvious that “Dandelion” is my personal favorite song off the EP, but that won’t stop me from further explaining my admiration for the lyrics. “I used to dream of eastern seas with sweeter breezes, private beaches, cable knits and life in make-believe. Funny as it goes, swap the setting / change the coast.”  Libbie bounces from syllable to syllable with pure grace. She calms every troubling and transformative experience she recounts through her music with her banjo and gentle drums.  

The only thing that disappointed me about this EP was that the lyrics were not posted on Spotify. I love to be able to tear apart every line by reading along to the songs, and I know that having Lonlark’s lyrics would make this EP even better. I also wish I had an explanation for the EP’s title, A Whole House. Maybe with the lyrics, I would be able to piece the puzzle together on that one, but even without an explanation, it certainly is a beautiful title as well as EP.  —Jaia French

Read more local music reviews from Jaia French below: 

Local Review: dogtag — demos
Local Review: RVLE THE WORLD — DISHEARTENING

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