A stirring album that captures the immediacy and conciseness of power-pop, Louder Than Sound comes via Blake, a Wiltshire, UK-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Citing Badfinger as a notable influence during the album’s creative process, Blake achieves a sound that aims to be “catchy three-minute, hook-laden guitar-led songs.” Mission success.
“She’s Inside My Heart” opens with resonating immersion, centered around a title-touting refrain and infectious guitar stomps. The ensuing “Lighting Up For You” balances jangly approachability and more erupting hook-friendly vigor, with the “I’m safe and sound,” comforts arising into the fervent “it’s not enough for you,” remarking. The album kicks off with a very strong one-two punch, and the quality songwriting never lets up throughout.
Another highlight, “Something About You” melds twangy guitars, glimmering organs, and harmonious vocals for an especially magnetic sound. Blake describes the track as dedicated to Badfinger in particular, consisting of lyrics from the band’s songs; it’s a melodic charmer that leads into satiating finale “One By One,” exuding a McCartney-esque folk lushness with a yearning sense of introspection. Louder Than Sound is a memorable, hook-filled success from Blake.
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“She’s Inside My Heart” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
