Album review : LAURENNE / LOUHIMO – Falling Through Stars

April 14th, 2025 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 18.04.25]

We reviewed Laurenne / Louhimo’s “the lockdown made me do it” debut album in 2021 (obviously).

For the uninitiated, L/L is a musical marriage of Smackbound’s Netta Laurenne and Battle Beast’s Noora Louhimo.

Netta’s husband and Thunderstone supremo, Nino, is again at the production helm, for the duo’s second opus, Falling Through Stars.

Given the vocalists’ day jobs, we expect an album of heavy metal thunder, with the occasional high frequency lightning strike.
But, what is this? …melodic metal, power metal, symphonic metal, melodic hard rock? All of the above? Whatever it is, it’s impossible to ignore … some albums get you immediately and vice versa. Others take time.

The two leading protagonists spark off each other, often igniting an explosive chorus, but just as often, they guide us through powerful, melodically inclined rock songs, like ‘Rotten Gold’ and ‘Falling Through Stars’.

In other places the music is intense, darker, wrapped in barbed wire, with songs – most notably ‘The Cradle’ – always nailed solidly to the framework of a sturdy melody.

‘Damned’ and ‘All For Sale’ are agile, sinewy songs with a rock’n’roll pulse, recalling the full and focused hard rock of female vocalist led bands like Heart and Pat Benatar.

Elsewhere, lyrically complex at times, uncomplicated at others, a scattering of aurally adhesive tunes with matching lyrics will catch your attention. ‘To The Dark’ has some great lines “Get out of my head, get out of my bed”. A world class put-down.
Then, ‘Loud and Clear’- the album’s big, booming, heartfelt ballad – flips the coin: “Although I know how much you hurt me, how on earth could I desert you”. A teary eyed leap of faith.

It’s clear from this follow up, that the duo (plus Nino) have really sharpened their songcraft since the debut. There’s an exhilarating seam of musical creativity running through this new material, freshening up familiar elements in a way that’s hard to resist.
Call it a post pandemic bonus. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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