Los Angeles based dark-synth pop artist, L’FREAQ has released her newest single, “Loud“. The track is taken from her sophomore EP, Showgirl, due out on September 23, 2021 via Position Music.
In a music world (and the whole world) where women have consistently been silenced, taken as a joke, out-shadowed and pushed around, this song reminds anyone who’s ever been shut up not to shut down. In fact, L’FREAQ recommends getting loud.
As the ferocious beat slaps, the fiercely free lyrics gain momentum: “You ask me why can’t you sit down and shut up and wait your turn / I want it now so I guess you could say I never learn” and “I’m gonna be loud / I’m gonna break out / So watch my mouth / I’m gonna be loud / I’m gonna break the mold.”
L’FREAQ comments on “Loud”
“I made ‘Loud’ as my war paint song. I’ve had so many experiences in the music industry of men trying to take advantage of me, specifically one man who led me down a dark alley when I was 16 and made fun of me when I said I didn’t trust him. I went into the studio with my cowriter, Chris Ayer, and we played badass movie scenes on mute of women standing in their power, letting their kick ass personas inspire us. I wanted to make a song that could perfectly narrate those movie scenes, so ‘Loud’ was born. This is the song I would play for the 16-year-old version of me, helping her realize that she doesn’t need a man to get ahead, and she’s free to take on the world.”
L’FREAQ’s previous single and battle cry title track, “Showgirl,” is also out now. She also recently shared a lyric video of the single. The word “power” stands boldly in front of the red curtain in the lyric video, and in the new
live and unplugged version — L’FREAQ’s voice alone is full of potent, passionate energy. Her raw performance, only accompanied by an acoustic guitar, proves every lyric’s realness in every note.
Furthering the story from the debut single and
music video for “
Gimmick,” it’s clear that the upcoming EP is absolutely stacked with metaphor, all-star fashion, witchy babe vibes and an important message about the role media plays with children — especially young women. L’FREAQ is turning trauma into triumph, tapping into her heart and getting out of her head.
From puppet to powerhouse (just like in The “Gimmick” video), L’FREAQ breaks free of the monotony and shreds through the brainwashed stereotypes, as she literally shreds on a guitar. “Gimmick” showed L’FREAQ embodying themes of resiliency in a time of self-doubt, combining heart-pounding beats with passionate lyrics about believing in the power that everyone inherently owns and nobody else can take away.
It also emphasizes L’FREAQ’s expansive “robust range (Refinery29),” which is also on full display in her recent live and unplugged version of “Gimmick.” This new track follows in those footsteps and takes it further into a deeper love of music, family and personal freedom.
Having recently performed for Backline’s “Set Break” live stream alongside Alanis Morissette, Tom Morello, Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles and more to raise funds and awareness for mental health services to be distributed to music industry for free, L’FREAQ has been a champion for her community. This song is another chapter of that consistent commitment to rise up and bring people with her.
More info about L’FREAQ
L’FREAQ, continues to remain an open book of emotions for fans as she lays out her own experience with rejection and struggles with mental health. L’FREAQ belts, “Got the courage to be vulnerable, got the guts to wear the crown, cause I dare to bare it all, I refuse to water down,” as a testament of truthfulness and self-confidence even when it’s hard. Intimacy on this level allows L’FREAQ to push the storyline forward when it comes to believing in dreams as a reality, especially in the face of adversity. NYLON says, “Look at L’FREAQ, draped in jewels and Cleopatra-esque eye makeup; then look a little harder. Behind the artifice, integrity abounds.”
L’FREAQ is all about being inclusive, and she is outspoken when it comes to defending the underdog. As an ally of everyone on the spectrum of gender and sexuality, bullies, racists and sexists are not allowed in L’FREAQ’s kingdom. She also shows her love for those closest to her, by highlighting their work: namely her fashion photographer mom, Kelly Cappelli (as seen in Vogue), who does all the photography and artwork for L’FREAQ.
The new release follows L’FREAQ’s debut EP, Weird Awakenings, which played with themes of self-discovery, as well as her
2021 single “Make Me Move.” Armed with a full book of poetry, L’FREAQ took pieces of her work and composed songs with Mike Irish, who also produced and mixed the EP at Shifted Recording Studios. The EP was mastered by Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis London Music. They took their time in discovering a sound that felt genuine, one that explored all the raw places she had been longing to find. Together, they created a modern amalgamation of L’FREAQ’s dark, thoughtful poetry and her raw musical instincts, which inevitably alchemized into songs that are all at once aggressive, sensual and moving.
Having shared a stage with ABBA, India.Arie and Jakob Dylan, it’s important to note her live performance prowess, even without tour dates on the books (speaking of longing). L’FREAQ played a packed NYC performance debut at SoHo House, and channeled Britney Spears (especially during her ferocious “Toxic” cover”), Nick Cave and Beats Antique vibes.
The Deli Magazine later dubbed her “NYC’s Favorite Emerging Artist.” She’s also currently playing Amy Winehouse in Las Vegas show “27”, and has been featured on the news several times for her iconic portrayal of Winehouse, who inspired her to sing in the first place, leaving audiences moved to tears from the experience.
With over 500k streams, 240K plays on YouTube, and songs featured in Riverdale, Playboy, Netflix’s Dating Around, Good Trouble, FBI, The Voice, City on a Hill and more — all born from her 5-song debut EP, it’s safe to say this follow-up EP is highly anticipated. Stay tuned for more visual components to follow, along with brand new singles. Showgirl is on the way.
Check out the music video for “Loud” below:
You can download / stream “Loud” HERE.
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