EP REVIEW: Popurrí – Calva Louise

Three tracks. 10 minutes and 30 seconds. That’s it. Even for your average EP this could be considered a short stint. With such limited aural real estate, there’s a pressure to make a real resounding impact while somehow incorporating a decent sense of variety to dodge the landmine of being one dimensional. As it happens, CALVA LOUISE proves that 10 minutes and 30 seconds is all you need to do just that with their second EP; Popurrí. Trying to fit CALVA LOUISE into a box is a task of redundancy with their debut LP – Rhinoceros – layering the band’s lyrical poignancy over a marvellous fusion of pop, grunge and punk only to rip up the floorboards on EP Interlude For The Borderline Unsettled with a heavier dosage of alt-rock; so what’s next? 

In keeping with their penchant for unpredictability, Popurrí adds a strong flavour of digital-age synthwave atop their established wall of energised pop-rock. It’s a glove-tight fit to CALVA LOUISE‘s growing bag of tricks and a testament to the sheer adaptability of the band’s constantly fidgeting identity. What has remained firmly concrete is the band’s adeptness for songwriting – with bangers being Popurrí’s finest wares. Opener Camino bursts into an insatiable bass groove aside the equally explosive highs of Jess Allanic’s vocals. The track, like it’s two companions, never reach the level of explosive rage of previous workings but this is duly compensated for as the band swaps out aggression for voracious groove. 

Popurrí, then, is another change of clothes for CALVA LOUISE but their ferocious energy is never lost in translation; no matter how it’s channelled. I Wish is addictive to its core, the pop-y foundations seemingly undying, with its punchy drum beat and Allanic’s bouncing melody that swiftly dives into a gorgeous chamber of ethereal harmonics. Allanic – not only a proficient axewoman – is continuing to prove her position as one of modern music’s most exciting vocalists. Hailing from Venezuela, Allanic glides naturally from her native Spanish to English on the EPs title track that forms a frenetic, yet fluid, melody that drives the otherwise understated verses. Her deft command of tone and tempo, vocally or by way of a plectrum, sit integral to CALVA LOUISE‘s jamboree of noise.

It would be rude to fixate upon Allanic alone, however. Drummer Ben Parker and bassist Alizon Taho are far greater than just a backing ensemble to Allanic’s vocal prowess. No, they shift their own weight with ease and form the very foundation of Popurrí’s frenetic feel-good energy. Backed further by the gleaming neon production, CALVA LOUISE has made no hard task of being sucked into this retro-age soundscape of big choruses and inviting rhythms. 

So, CALVA LOUISE makes it three for three with a fantastic debut album and two equally as admirable EPs tucked firmly under their belt ahead of a seemingly unknown future. Should we expect a few more EPs in the pipeline as the band continue to push the buttons and play with the dials in search of yet another avenue of musical fusion, or are we in the run-up to CALVA LOUISE‘s next full-length venture? Whichever side that coin may land, Popurrí gives us reason to be excited about it. 

Rating: 9/10

Popurrí is out now via self-release.

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