LOUISE LEMÓN
"The music, on the whole, has a hauntingly ambient vibe, where ethereal sonics reign on an album that's steeped in exquisitely forged melancholia." That's how I described Louise Lemón's mightily impressive debut with the release of last year's 'Purge LP'. And the Swedish death-gospel artist is back already, with album number two. Another offering clocking in at just over 30 minutes, it's quality over quantity once again, on a sophomore effort that sees her well and truly eschew "difficult second album syndrome". And it provides another delightful and finely crafted exercise in profoundly affecting melancholia, just like her debut. One that's both emotionally powerful and powerfully atmospheric.
As with 'Purge LP', the wonderfully titled 'A Broken Heart is an Open Heart' is all about ostensible minimalism. Ostensible, that is, because there's actually so much more going on than is initially apparent. It's all about the emotions. Those inherent within the songs themselves, and how I've found myself connecting with them in a deep way. Louise has this amazing ability, through voice and instrumentations, to make me get lost in the emotions of her art - transported as I have been, through the listening experience, to an ethereal space. It's within such a transcendent space that the music on the album reveals its true power; one where it's purely about the affecting experience, beyond any contemplations of compositional judgements. This, for me, is true art. Art that doesn't draw attention to its creative constitution... albeit this is all so well put together, from compositions, to performances, to production.
A magical and genuinely sublime experience, there's something very comforting and cathartic about 'A Broken Heart is an Open Heart'. I feel better for listening to it... each and every time. Laidback, beautifully dark and sultry, this album has seen Louise build on the promise she showcased on 'Purge LP' to deliver a melancholic masterpiece. I concluded my review of her debut with, "Louise Lemón is a new talent to keep an eye on. I feel even greater things are ahead for this Swede." Too right. I stick by those words.
As with 'Purge LP', the wonderfully titled 'A Broken Heart is an Open Heart' is all about ostensible minimalism. Ostensible, that is, because there's actually so much more going on than is initially apparent. It's all about the emotions. Those inherent within the songs themselves, and how I've found myself connecting with them in a deep way. Louise has this amazing ability, through voice and instrumentations, to make me get lost in the emotions of her art - transported as I have been, through the listening experience, to an ethereal space. It's within such a transcendent space that the music on the album reveals its true power; one where it's purely about the affecting experience, beyond any contemplations of compositional judgements. This, for me, is true art. Art that doesn't draw attention to its creative constitution... albeit this is all so well put together, from compositions, to performances, to production.
A magical and genuinely sublime experience, there's something very comforting and cathartic about 'A Broken Heart is an Open Heart'. I feel better for listening to it... each and every time. Laidback, beautifully dark and sultry, this album has seen Louise build on the promise she showcased on 'Purge LP' to deliver a melancholic masterpiece. I concluded my review of her debut with, "Louise Lemón is a new talent to keep an eye on. I feel even greater things are ahead for this Swede." Too right. I stick by those words.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Icons Creating Evil Art
Album
A BROKEN HEART IS AN OPEN HEART
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
34:37
RELEASE DATE:
15th March 2019
TRACK LISTING
1) Sunlight
2) Montaña
3) Not Enough
4) Blurry Vision
5) Swimming in Sadness
6) Susceptible Soul
7) Cross
8) Honest Heart
9) Almond Milk
10) A Broken Heart is an Open Heart
2) Montaña
3) Not Enough
4) Blurry Vision
5) Swimming in Sadness
6) Susceptible Soul
7) Cross
8) Honest Heart
9) Almond Milk
10) A Broken Heart is an Open Heart
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Sweden
"Laidback, beautifully dark and sultry, this album has seen Louise build on the promise she showcased on 'Purge LP' to deliver a melancholic masterpiece."
