Review: Låpsley - ‘These Elements’

LÅPSLEY
THESE ELEMENTS

‘These Elements’ is an intimate electronica delight. That showcases both personal and professional growth from Låpsley.

★★★★★

‘These Elements’ feels like a reintroduction to singer-songwriter Låpsley. Her 2016 debut album ‘Long Way Home’ was a beautiful, compelling record that intertwined hopeful melodies with electronic flair. Its been nearly four years since its release and a lot has happened in the life of Holly Lapsley Fletcher. Now 23, she's returned after keeping a more reserved and quiet profile whilst going through a period of self-discovery. 


The resulting EP 'These Elements' encompasses the void of the passing years. Whilst listening to it feels like you're taking a peek into her innermost thoughts. Her lyrics forming a frank, open conversation of the emotional trials and tribulations of real life, that I think anyone whose gone through that transition from teenager to adult will be able to find solace in. Låpsley herself described the EP as focusing on “emotional love, physical desire, depression, and self-worth. Everything I’ve gone through in the last four years is in these four songs.”


The opening track, ‘My Love Was Like The Rain’ strips back its production to its most minimal level. An unusual, almost click like percussion underpins the track alongside light synths that allow the listener to focus on Låpsley’s silky smooth vocals. It showcases a clear sonic progression from her earlier material. ‘Eve’ picks up the pace as Låpsley criticises a one-sided love over one of the grooviest, yet subtle rhythms I’ve heard all year. Its melody chimes, almost tranquil and traditional, before suddenly glitching and transforming. Throughout, there is a maturity to the level of detail Låpsley has carefully placed into each literal element of the record. 


The EPs stunning centrepiece is ‘Ligne 3’, a beautiful breakup song that highlights wisdom with its grounded, relatable lyrics alongside its measured, intelligent production. It's utterly beautiful yet heart-breaking all the same at once. One of the finest tracks I’ve heard this year, its quickly become a shining highlight of an already captivating and growing discography. The higher pitch shift towards the track's conclusion is piercing, like a cry for help, it is simply stunning. 


‘Drowning’ meanwhile is more sombre and dark than anything we've been accustomed to on the EP previously. Instead of piercing above the heartbreak, Låpsleys voice, as the track suggests, simply drowns itself deeper into the electronic noise. It erupts into a frantic, breathless chorus where her vocals begin to distort amongst the frenzy.


There’s not just a narrative growth throughout the EP, but a natural and exciting musical progression from the Songstress / Producer. A cohesive tempo builds throughout ‘These Elements’ as Låpsley guides the listener through her intimate journey over four deeply personal, compelling, and introspective tracks. Låpsley has taken her time to process her emotions over the past few years whilst carefully crafting what is some of the finest music of her fledgling career. I can only hope this is just a sample platter of more to come in 2020.