Album review: LOUISE STEEL – Sideshow

LOUISE STEEL - Sideshow

Website [Release date 20.11.20]

Here at GRTR! Towers we enjoyed Louise Steel’s 2017 debut ‘Heartstorm’ very much. Louise Steel’s second album has been two years in the making that has included personal tragedy and making this album has proved cathartic for her.

Her songwriting and musical foil Andrew Dunmore is again involved in the making and production of the album. Lyrically the themes cover empowerment, resilience and finding an inner confidence, all set to melodic, pop melodides.

One thing that soon becomes apparent is the sound/production which is clear and sounds like a big label production. It helps immensely as Louise wanted a theatrical feel to the songs. This certainly comes across on ‘Sideshow’, complete with a colourful video over on YouTube. It sounds like a clean mouthed Pink! That is also true of ‘Masquerade’, a lyric with bite that’s for sure!

‘Aura’ has a pop rock bounce about it,where some guitar crunch and a pop melody work well together. Certainly on this album the theatrics and atmosphere on each song are used to great effect. ‘Dollhouse Dream’ being a prime example where you need to listen carefully to what is going on musically, and another one for possible airplay.

‘Lady Labyrinth’ is a showstopper (although the album ends with a song called that!), just Louise’s impassioned vocals and a piano backing. In a word, magnificent.

It is very difficult for newer artists to get known and heard, especially with no label backing, so full marks to Louise Steel for carrying on and providing us with another pop rock treat. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie


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THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Rise Above It All (Mascot)
MATT PEARCE & THE MUTINY From Here To The Moon (indie)
THE BLACK VULTURES Never Say (indie)

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