What can we say about Loren North that hasn't already been made apparent from the well-received release of her first two singles, "Feel It Out" and "Where I Am." The LA-based singer-songwriter delivers a cinematic and a sonically unobtrusive indie pop experience with the release of her debut EP Starlight. This album is filled to the brim with emotionally-charged lyrics and complex production, alongside an artful voice charged with the ambitious task of capturing the vicissitudes of love. The album is due out on September 30 but EARMILK has an exclusive early premiere for fans to check out below.
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North comes from a gospel background, singing in church while growing up and that's made evident in the way her vocals provide this type of uplift feeling while hearing them. "Starlight" contains a multitude of snappy drum beats and dripped in a layer of dreamy synths. But the true essence of this track—and most of the EP— is found in the effortless storytelling drawn out by each of her lyrics.
"I grew up loving this artist Brooke Fraser, who is a lyrical genius and I've been listening to her since I was 13. I would listen to her lyrics and be astounded by how she could tell these stories and truly inspires my own writing. In general the amazing women around me always kept me moving forwards. I could have just gone into knitting or something but my mom— who is one of the most amazing women— kept me going at the begnning of my writing when I had so much stuff going on. It was my mom who told me to write from that place and she reassured me that I would come out the other side of this hardship." Loren North
“Backward/Forward” strolls into a dim light of empathy and heartfelt sincerity as the chorus descends the listener into a whirlwind of emotions associated with letting somebody go. The catchy melodies unknowingly sink the listener into the distance while her vocals gently lift them up. The rolling beats provide an added element that keeps the track hopeful as it builds up to this explosive culmination of sound.
"You Are" is more of a ballad track compared to the rest of the EP but provides a clear example of North's appeal to express powerful vocals hidden within a subtle delivery. It's one of the most alluring moments in the album in providing a raw look into the deep and honest place that North's music is drawn from.
North's sound keeps listeners hooked attentively to each lyric and provides an opportunity for fans who have experienced similar feelings to really connect with. This EP is as personally brave as it is a culmination of the evolved new sound of Indie-pop music in today's industry. It's a great time to be a music fan today and artists like North bringing a soulful voice, combined with sincere songwriting and rich melodies keep us listening to albums like these on repeat.
Keep an eye out for a new music video for the title track "Starlight" set to be released in the near future.
Connect with Loren North: Official Site| Facebook | Twitter
