Liam Kazar’s Pilot Light is a pleasant, low-stakes country-tinged album that works well as mellow background listening—never striking or disappointing, but comfortably enjoyable and mercifully brief.
Liam Kazar’s Pilot Light was released over a month ago in November. It appears to be the artist’s debut full-length project.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
The opening and title track is an easygoing, mid-tempo soft-rock track. His voice has a calming finish to it akin to the lights peaking through the library curtains on a cool afternoon, tickling the side of your face as you inhale every word of your latest paperback obsession. Of course, it’s 2025, and for better or worse, books are barely a thing anymore, but at least Liam’s voice is here to rekindle that feeling. Overall, the track is fine. We’re not treated to any big spectacles, nor are our music taste buds greeted with sour products. Everything works, but I’d argue it does play it a bit too safe.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Organ
Wurlitzer Piano
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
“Losers two, losers toodaloo.” Again, we have a track that isn’t doing too much out of the expected but doesn’t fail to provide an enjoyable-enough listening experience with its more-than-three-minute runtime. It’s a simple Americana effort with easy singing rekindling that library sunset effect, but it’s rather peaceful and doesn’t trigger any itch for the skip button by any means. Think about the works of the likes of Iron & Wine, and you’d understand the picture I’m trying to paint with my feelings towards this project thus far.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
We’re getting the same finish as with the track’s two predecessors, basically, only that this time, the tempo is kicked up a bit.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
Here’s another standout. “Holiday” is the heaviest lean into the country-music sound thus far, simultaneously offering the album’s best instrumental thus far. Lyrically, we’re also treated to the best effort in that regard four tracks into the project. Overall, it’s the most enjoyable the album has gotten and re-sparks interest in continuing the project.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
Catchier instrumentals and clearer lyrics persist on track five.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
The percussions are dialed back on “Listening,” giving way for keys and subtle strings to take the bulk of the focus instrumentally, resulting in a faint jazz appeal to the track that adds to the appeal of the track overall. There is, however, a slight drawback with the track, seeing that this is the most spaced-out and paint-by-numbers the writing has been so far—we’re essentially getting ten-word choruses here, if that helps paint the picture.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
“Try Again” is another subtle standout on the project so far. The energy is brought back quite a bit, and the bulk of the track is enjoyable; however, the ending does feel a bit abrupt.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
Tempo is dialed up slightly again for another catchy tune.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
This track offers a decent segue into a folksier musical atmosphere paired with inviting vocal harmonies.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
“Pick Up the Pieces” offers us an easy-going country send-off as the album’s penultimate track.
Show Track Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Songwriter
Producer
The country aesthetics are gently replaced with groovier instrumental offerings on the album’s closing track.
Overall, Liam Kazar’s Pilot Light is a decent listen. I recommend giving this a listen if you’re in the mood to have something peaceful enough to have running through your ears while you’re carried away with Saturday-morning chores. It hardly impresses, but it never successfully disappoints entirely. It’s a safe country-flavored full-length listen that doesn’t overstay its welcome by any means.
Show Album Credits
Primary Artist, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Vocals
Bass
Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Drums
Wurlitzer Piano
Songwriter
Producer