Introducing Lo Lauren, a new artist who’s breaking away from the traditional pop mould. Making poised and elegant music that really gets under your skin, her debut single ‘Just Friends’ is a compelling introduction to the new London based artist.
Opening with a sombre piano progression, Lo doesn’t mince words with her opening line “We thought that we could be friends / who thought that fucking was friendly,” setting out her agenda and immediately tackling the age-old ‘are we just friends?’ question; “It’s a pretty clear concept – it’s very literal” she says.
“We thought that we could be friends / who thought that fucking was friendly…”
As the song progresses it swells and builds into a beautiful, stirring soundscape. It’s one of those rare offerings in which you discover more layers for your ears to hold on to with every listen. Opening up into a chorus that’s both catchy and poignant, the lyrical quality of Lo Lauren’s songwriting here is exceptional. “It’s very stripped back, and it allows me space to grow, both vocally and in production,” she explains.
Unlike most other artists making their introduction, Lo decided to do take a different creative approach when launching her debut, by releasing a brilliant spoken word monologue to go alongside the single, rather than a traditional music video. Whilst setting up the song perfectly, it also gives an even greater introduction and sense of what Lo is all about as an artist. “Theatre is deep-rooted in me, and I love performance on every level, so I want to do something bold for every song,” she said “Having a monologue as your opening statement as an artist is something unique.”
“Theatre is deep-rooted in me, and I love performance on every level, so I want to do something bold for every song.”
Whilst studying at the BRIT School meant that Lo was always destined for a career on some kind of stage, saying that it didn’t occur to her to become a songwriter until her love of English led her to study English Literature A-Level at the school. “I love analysing language and exploring how everyone can interpret things differently,” Lo expalins.“As soon as I realised I could combine English Literature and language, and my love of expression with performance, I just wanted to write songs.”
She’s since become a part of a burgeoning songwriting scene in London and has already built up an incredibly impressive CV, having written songs with the likes of Call Me Loop, Blithe, Hannah Jane Lewis and Jack Vallier.
After her innovative introduction with ‘Just Friends’, we can’t wait to see where Lo Lauren goes next.
‘Just Friends’ is out now.