“Are you a warrior?“
In terms of first impressions, Calva Louise are seemingly one of the most impressive acts of that going. Whether it is a case of seeing them live, with their energetic performance or sliding keyboard. In their studio sound, that breaks and explores the boundaries of the rock and alternative genre that they made a home. While they have been plentifully established, with records over the years aiming at the genre cocktail that Calva Louise have been working on, on Edge of the Abyss they finally work up the perfect concoction.
From the immediate outset on “Tunnel Vision” and “W.T.F“, the genre mashing that the likes of Enter Shikari experimented with feels refound on what Calva Louise have done. Joyous synth, key word, massive riffs, and soaring vocals are the main attack of Edge of the Abyss. Each to act in contrast while making the ear dance, “W.T.F” does show the perfect example of this early on, with harmonious choruses matched by screamo bridges. Offering up a chaos that will attract many, the record continues to lead them into much more magnificent sounds.
This does begin with the sheer ability by Calva Louise to write a hook. The likes of “Aimless” and “Barely A Response” are gems in this sense. There is that 80s flair at times across these tracks with their hooks, especially how they kick in and guide you through an extended section that is simply too good to not want to sing along to. This in itself is a skill, and while not wanting this to be an obtuse observation, is something that Spiritbox have mastered well over the years too. Even as latter track “Hate In Me” kicks in, the lyric of “I can’t listen to myself, I’m ready to break“, it has that sense of wanting to be sang.
The ease that Calva Louise move between in their multilingual lyrics is something to behold, a cursory listen might even notice, given how succinctly they are performed. The simple switch, which sees Calva Louise return to the sounds of their roots, offers up a soundscape that will give something new and thrilling to many listeners, and does challenge the barrier of the alternative sound. This is all done while delivering a consistent and standout performance from Allanic that should now put them as one of the top vocalists in this genre.
Closing out on “Under The Skin“, it is where Calva Louise look to showcase the array of their sound. The absolutely gorgeous key work present, with harmonies that are enthralling, it shows a track that much like the record, there is much to simply enjoy. Perhaps what is most impressive from Calva Louise is that the task of boxing them into one genre seems impossible. Too many genres have fallen into a familiarity, and it is a joy to hear a band that breaks every convention of their supposed genre, both lyrically and instrumentally, while pulling it off with such flair.
7.5/10
Edge of the Abyss is out 10th July via Mascot Records, and can be pre-ordered here.