Since a yet-undetermined point in time, music has largely been used as a tool for escapism. Whether one imagines themselves within the comfort of a benevolent forest or flying through the sky on nothing but the clothes on their back and the will of thin air, the many scenes that music can paint for us has drawn us towards it day after day, year after year.
But artists of all sorts always find ways to subvert the expectations of our experiences, arguably by the very nature of the profession. This time, it’s Russell Louder’s “Home” that does just this; subverting the notion of escapism into something much more tactile and powerful; a prime way of establishing the essence of their upcoming debut album, Humour.
Amidst a combination of uniquely-Russell Louder production and instrumentation, the Charlottetown artist poses the idea of home as a question to be asked rather than an answer to marinate oneself in. It is something to ponder with varying levels of anxiety and hope; two familiar acquaintances of the unknown.
Louder dares their listeners to start or continue their journey towards their own home, fully acknowledging the sheer intimidation and variability of such a journey’s outcome, and encouraging its undertaking regardless. They don’t want you to just imagine; they want you to find it.
“‘Home’ is the introduction,” says Louder. “It is the wandering protagonist who sets the tone for the entire album.”
“Elements of preparation, the romanticizing of arrival, deep, deep uncertainty, pain, lack of belonging – yet bursting with hope.”
The power of Louder’s message shines through their notes and instruments just as well as their voice. Best described as a combination of experimental, dark, and electro-pop, Louder utilizes a business-mode bass synth, a transcendent, melodic shimmer, and sprinkles of varying progression and frequencies to put their musical foot down and inspire the emotional work-horse in us all. Their hypnotic cadence is the cherry on top of this power-packed sneak peek; the perfect vessel for Louder’s finely-tuned lyrical talent.
Humour releases on February 26th.