Multi-Talented Artist Delivers

Twenty eight year-old Julia Holter has done a lot of things during her young life. In addition to getting a degree in composition from CalArts, tutoring kids and working for a Los Angeles-based non-profit, she has also released three studio albums since 2011. The first two albums, Tragedy and Ekstasis, were both released to high critical acclaim. Her latest release, Loud City Song, is currently out on Domino Records – will it measure up to her predecessors? Will it bring the pain? Match the hype? Be all of that and a bag of potato chips? The short answer is: yeah, pretty much.

The longer answer is that Loud City Song brings all of the charm, mystery, and texture of old times into the modern age. Some songs harken back to old symphonies, while others smack of ’60s lounge, and still others make you feel like you’re in a smoky jazz bar, listening to a couple of musicians play their hearts out and goof around. Loud City Song is the perfect title for this record because every track puts you in Paris or London or the wild streets of New York. You can hear the bustling streets, smell all the food vendors, and see the high-end department stores within every note.

The only readily available criticism for Loud City Song (and you could argue it’s a big one) is that it doesn’t always keep you engaged enough. The songs are mellow and can sometimes slip into the realm of the boring, but not so frequently that the album becomes unenjoyable. This slacking in energy just encourages drifting attention rather than all-out dismissal.

Holter seems to spend her time wisely between being an awesome community activist and creating amazing music for the people of the world to hear. Besides Loud City Song just being a solid, worthwhile record anyone would benefit from owning, grab a copy to support an artist who truly makes a difference.