Oh, To Be Home. Loupe

Loupe (Dakota) and singers. Soon after releasing the debut record both bands containing guitarist Abel van der Waals, bassist Lana Kooper and drummer Annemarie van der Born lost their singer. And here is the third album, Oh, To Be Home, with new singer Nina Ouattara.

The album was recorded in a live setting in De Zonzij in Amsterdam in the presence of an audience. There is no comparing how the album would have sounded, had it been recorded in the studio with all the options available there. If there is a difference, it may be that Van Der Waals' guitar parts sound more direct, less ethereal.

In all other ways, Loupe delivers at the level I have come to expect ever since seeing Dakota perform to celebrate the graduation of then Jasmine van der Waals at the Amsterdam Conservatory, because I was there at the invitation of Roeland Scherff of the now ex-Elenne May. 'Here's The 101 On How To Disappear' impressed just as much, as did the first Loupe album 'Do You Ever Wonder What Comes Next?' Seen in this light the title Oh, To Be Home sounds quite comforting.

Photo: Jantina Talsma

What struck me first on hearing this album was how good and beautiful it is. The album struck a chord immediately. The mood is one to wallow in, to wrap around myself when I'm listening to it. Like an old but so well-fitting and warm winter coat. All the elements contained in the songs work. The whole of the time! Like in 'On Dit Quoi?', where Ouattara sings in French, the band comes close to French band Feu! Chatterton in the mystic atmosphere the song shares with its listeners.

Next came the realisation that this album is so much more mature. There is no hesitation. Everything is more serious and that takes Loupe to a next level.

In the past years I was on the look out for a live Loupe show, I saw the band once in an instore on Record Store Day, but only ever saw shows outside of our home country. I hope that this may change in the coming year, although the only date announced is for Copenhagen in March. Even in the store setting the band impressed, with far too little people present. Only in a living room setting can you get closer to an artist though.

Listening to the recording, with the live recording in mind, I was convinced to be hearing more than four musicians and more voices. Look at the picture here and everything is revealed. Loupe's producer Arne van Petegem is one of the extra musicians. The extra's are subtle and clear additions to what is possible in Loupe's four piece setting. I couldn't find additional information on who is playing or singing what.

With Oh, To Be Home, Loupe sets a great new step in its career. With Nina Ouattara the band has found a new singer that fits its music in a very convincing way. Loupe is up there with the better if not best bands somewhere in between indierock and dreampop. Absolute world class.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Oh, To Be Home here:

https://thisisloupe.bandcamp.com/album/oh-to-be-home