»Heavens, all the heavens of the world/ Are you looking for anything?« – these first lines from Julia Holter’s latest record, situated somewhere between speech and inner dialogue, open up the interspace in which her music has moved around since her first record »Ekstasis« was released three years ago. »Loud City Song« by the 28-years-old artist from Los Angeles pretty much sets off where the last two records ended, even though it is her first album which was actually recorded in a studio. Lyric-wise, Julia Holter is picking up the theme of »Gigi«, a novel by the French artist Colette from 1944, connecting the literary model with themes of L.A., including the city’s obsession with celebrities. In addition, there are elements reminding the listener of the great opera or the variety theater. »World«, the track that starts out with the above mentioned quote, serves as a kind of overture, in which Julia Holter introduces the following pieces with only her voice and tender instrumentation. The following spoken words on top of the jazzy bass-track »In The Green Wild« can be compared to the opera’s recitative, while »Maxim’s II« picks up the theme from »Maxim’s I«, and so on. Of course, you’ll need a tendency for theatrical forms in order to really enjoy the record. But if you do, there’ll be no holding back. »Loud City Song« is full of references, full of possibilities. What makes Julia Holter’s music special is that it rather suggests than clarifies. Hence, there is some kind of musical corset, but there is also still enough room to breathe. It’s the same with her lyrics, which are as concrete as they are vague. And throughout the permanent game of only hinting at things, she creates a special interspace, giving her enough room to exist. Julia Holter is one of the few artists who consider pop an art form – »Oh can I escape you?«.
Loud City Song
