SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LOUISE BURNS – ELEMENT

Louise Burns
Element
Independent

Vancouver’s Louise Burns has released her fifth solo album, Element, which she describes as a “sonic daydream” that was written to help her deal with the incredible amount of change that has occurred over the past few years. Burns herself said that she used the time to focus on improving her craft further, and this release affirms that.

The first track, “I Don’t Feel It Like I Used To”, layers lush synthesizer beds over top of a hypnotic 16-beat drum pattern, and Burns provides crystal-clear vocals to tell a compelling, personal story.

The title track, “Element”, offers a completely different groove, and what stands out for me is how Burns gives the track room to breathe by not filling up every moment sonically. The moments in the song where everything slows down and pauses enhances Burns’ message.

The last track on the album is a cover of the Depeche Mode classic, “See Me”. Burns does a lovely job with this version. Using unobtrusive synthesizers, solid vocals, and tight harmonies, she makes this song her own.

In her own words, the album is about “creating a world in which you can find peace when the real one ain’t delivering”. Louise Burns has delivered. This is a solid effort that will, in my opinion, please fans of her earlier work, and garner her some new ones.

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