If patience is a virtue, Beth Gibbons is astronomically virtuous. No less than 16 years passed after the last Portishead album before her long-awaited solo debut ‘Lives Outgrown’ finally arrived. A wait well worth the time. ‘Lives Outgrown’ is a precious gift from one the most elegantly burdened voices in contemporary music. Sad, distinct and intimate, Gibbons sings about aging and loss with the same acute immediacy as ever with Portishead. But, instead of haunted trip-hop and electronics, the music is acoustic. Violins, guitars and unpredictable percussive elements create the perfect background for Gibbons’ glorious return on what by many is considered one the best and most significant albums of 2024. This summer, the ever-enigmatic Beth Gibbons will perform at Way Out West.