EP REVIEW: Devil – Louise Lémon

If you’ve not been introduced to LOUISE LÉMON before, there’s been no better time than now. The Swedish singer has, combined the harmony and beauty of soul with the contrasting darkness of goth and ambient post-metal in a way that should have never worked in a million years, but is so potent that she’s not the only one creating this kind of sound; see also CHELSEA WOLFE and TWIN TEMPLE.

Last week saw the release of her new EP Devil via Icons Creating Evil Art, and it would be fair to say that those aware of her will have taken the fifteen minutes out of their days to give this a listen, before deciding to repeat this on multiple occasions. However, if you’re in the dark about this talented artist, here are five reasons why Devil is worth a spin or three.

The first is the opening title track; unlike last year’s full album A Broken Heart Is an Open Heart, this EP focuses more on the heart and delivery of Louise‘s soft, sultry vocals than anything else. As such, the production is rawer and the instrumentation has been stripped back considerably, but it all adds up to an impactful track that shrouds the EP in mystery from the very beginning, drawing the listener in for a richer experience. The second reason is the following song, Forever Alone (you can probably see where we’re going here). Guitar features more prominently and so does the soul within Louise‘s voice, making for a warmer tone than before, although not so much that the overall melancholy is spoiled indefinitely.

Third track Taurus Woman is short but powerful, a mournful lament with a surprisingly catchy chorus that finishes with Louise singing ‘I’m a torn up woman because I chose you’, a moment of real power and reflection. Bathe In Gold is even shorter than its preceding track, clocking in at two minutes 15 seconds and is a balance of bleak lyrics and ambient passages that swirl around impressively, before All My Tears brings the quarter of an hour to a close. This one is slightly pacier than the previous tracks but only by a touch, allowing for a different personality but still remain in line with the overall themes.

This is a perfect little EP for a lazy summer’s walk, laid-back and reflective; equally, it’s great for late-light listening when the rain is swirling outside. There aren’t many people or bands out there who could pull off such a feat, but then LOUISE LÉMON isn’t your average artist

Rating: 8/10

Devil is out now via Icons Creating Evil Art. 

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