Newly formed trio Louderstar has coalesced in Launceston, Tasmania at the far edge of the world following songwriter and producer singer Fiora’s return from Berlin and Los Angeles. She has joined forces with her long time friend guitarist Carl Treasure and her second cousin Lee Mallinson, and there is now a new star in the firmament.
You’re going to sense the word ‘shimmer’ hovering everywhere in this review. Or if I can avoid using the word, you can imagine it hanging in the either. Like the Aurora Australis that frequently visits the skies above Tasmania. ‘Flickering Lights’ sparkles and weaves like a sonic psychedelic curtain in the sky, glittering and dreamy, hypnotic and airy.
You can detect traces of Cocteau Twins and Hatchie woven into the band’s sonic DNA, and in the instrumentation there are hints of fellow Hobartian Martin Kennedy (All India Radio). Yet the group asserts a distinctive, evocative style of its own—delivered with a confidence and assurance that belies a debut.
Fiora’s vocals are soft and ethereal, ghostly coasting like a silken veil over the jangling guitars and atmospheric layers of chorus and reverb. The result is like an immersive warm sonic bath, backing vocals soothing and calming. It a brilliant debut and a promise of something great to emerge as the band works on its debut album.
This is absolutely exquisite. and I didn’t use the word ‘shimmer’ once. Or dream pop or shoegaze. You can download and stream the single here.
‘Flickering Lights’ is out today and the band promises the release of a 5 track EP in August. I can’t wait.
