It's rare for music to sound clearer as its volume increases, both in purpose and intricacy. But leave that exception to singer-songwriter Rose Gray, who released her debut album, "Louder, Please, " on Jan. 17. With influences like Kylie Minogue and Madonna, Gray owns the dancefloor so that the album sits in a space reminiscent of the early 2000s, but themed for the modern day.The London-based artist has been making music since 2019 but has prioritized club music since her 2022 EP, “Synchronicity,” leading directly to the LP. "This album is an amalgamation of everything I love. It's pop, it's club, it's underground, it's maximalist, it's delicate… it's so me, and I'm incredibly proud of it," said Gray on Instagram. If there's one condition Gray thrives on, it's the chaos of synthesizers and vocal splicing, which she uses to open the record with "Damn." While teasing titles like "First" and "Switch" in the lyrics, her voice oscillates beat to beat between the ears like a heartbeat. These drum styles serve as the backbone for the majority of the record.
Gray strings her 12 tracks together through her lust for love and life. “Tectonic” floods the mix with reverb, mirroring Lady Gaga on “Fun Tonight,” while she declares undying love. Then, she picks 808s up on “Party People” by celebrating the people she treasures most: “Party people, only ones I want to trust,” she sings. The show synths wind down just in time to self-actualize on "Everything Changes (But I Won't).” It's a calm setting to reflect in before "Louder, Please" leaves the ambiance in charge of guiding the listener in their trance. The penultimate track lyrically stands in solidarity with its subject, similar to the Carly Rae Jepsen B-side, "Go Find Yourself Or Whatever." “Free” might be the heart of the album, both in the message and in rhythm: Take a deep breath, it’s free,” she sings. Gray reminds her audience that freedom is in life's little, beautiful aspects as the synth chords plunk and the bells chime. There’s also freedom Gray takes with the album’s interpretation. "And I almost feel a bit like whatever happens with it, however it's reviewed, I know it's the kind of music I want to party to," said Gray for Dork. So, as the song "Just Two" suggests, "…this beat was made for you."
- Ria Skyer
