Today, LA-based dark-synth pop artist, L’FREAQ, shares a live and unplugged version of her newest single, “LOUD,” from her sophomore EP, Showgirl, due out on September 23, 2021 via Position Music. The intimate performance on plush red couches and a heart-shaped bed shows L’FREAQ’s literal comfort with vulnerability and also with her own power. Without a mic, and accompanied only by an acoustic guitar player, the glittering bones of this powerhouse song are brought to light.
L’FREAQ recently shared the official video for “LOUD.” In a music world (and the whole world) where women have consistently been silenced, taken as a joke, out-shadowed and pushed around, this song reminds anyone who’s ever been shut up not to shut down. In fact, L’FREAQ recommends getting loud. As the ferocious beat slaps, the fiercely free lyrics gain momentum: “You ask me why can’t you sit down and shut up and wait your turn / I want it now so I guess you could say I never learn” and “I’m gonna be loud / I’m gonna break out / So watch my mouth / I’m gonna be loud / I’m gonna break the mold.”
On the new track, L’FREAQ says, “I made LOUD as my war paint song. I’ve had so many experiences in the music industry of men trying to take advantage of me, specifically one man who led me down a dark alley when I was 16 and made fun of me when I said I didn’t trust him. I went into the studio with my cowriter, Chris Ayer, and we played badass movie scenes on mute of women standing in their power, letting their kick ass personas inspire us. I wanted to make a song that could perfectly narrate those movie scenes, so LOUD was born. This is the song I would play for the 16-year-old version of me, helping her realize that she doesn’t need a man to get ahead, and she’s free to take on the world.
The official video, shot in an alley and harkening back to that moment, reclaims autonomy and energy with hair flips, rhinestone gloves and bold fashion. On the video, she adds, “I filmed this video in 110-degree heat in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Bless my videographer, Josue Orozco, for always being game to do crazy things like this with me. The unique clothing is from my friend Robert who owns one of the coolest vintage clothing stores in the country, Fashion by Robert Black. I wanted the video to be messy and fun and LOUD, and I edited it myself to create the perfect atmosphere.”
L’FREAQ’s previous single and battle cry title track, “Showgirl,” is also out now. She also recently shared a lyric video of the single. The word empowered stands boldly in front of the red curtain in the lyric video, and in the new live and unplugged version L’FREAQ’s voice alone is full of potent, passionate energy. Her raw performance, only accompanied by an acoustic guitar, proves every lyric’s realness in every note.
Furthering the story from the debut single and music video for “Gimmick,” it’s clear that the upcoming EP is absolutely stacked with metaphor, all-star fashion, witchy babe vibes and an important message about the role media plays with children especially young women. L’FREAQ is turning trauma into triumph, tapping into her heart and getting out of her head.
From puppet to powerhouse (just like in The “Gimmick” video), L’FREAQ breaks free of the monotony and shreds through the brainwashed stereotypes, as she literally shreds on a guitar. “Gimmick” showed L’FREAQ embodying themes of resilience in a time of self-doubt, combining heart-pounding beats with passionate lyrics about believing in the power that everyone inherently owns and nobody else can take away. It also emphasizes L’FREAQ’s expansive “robust range (Refinery29),” which is also on full display in her recent live and unplugged version of “Gimmick.” This new track follows in those footsteps and takes it further into a deeper love of music, family and personal freedom.
Having recently performed for Backline’s “Set Break” live stream alongside Alanis Morissette, Tom Morello, Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles and more to raise funds and awareness for mental health services to be distributed to music industry for free, L’FREAQ has been a champion for her community. This song is another chapter of that consistent commitment to rise up and bring people with her.
L’FREAQ, continues to remain an open book of emotions for fans as she lays out her own experience with rejection and struggles with mental health. L’FREAQ belts, “Got the courage to be vulnerable, got the guts to wear the crown, cause I dare to bare it all, I refuse to water down,” as a testament of truthfulness and self-confidence even when it’s hard. Intimacy on this level allows L’FREAQ to push the storyline forward when it comes to believing in dreams as a reality, especially in the face of adversity. Nylon Look at L’FREAQ, draped in jewels and Cleopatra-esque eye makeup; then look a little harder. Behind the artifice, integrity abounds.”
L’FREAQ is all about being inclusive, and she is outspoken when it comes to defending the underdog. As an ally of everyone on the spectrum of gender and sexuality, bullies, racists and sexists are not allowed in L’FREAQ’s kingdom. She also shows her love for those closest to her, by highlighting their work: namely her fashion photographer mom, Kelly Cappelli (as seen Vogue), who does all the photography.
The new release follows L’FREAQ’s debut Weird Awakenings, which played with themes of self-discovery, as well as her 2021 single “Make Me Move.” Armed with a full book of poetry, L’FREAQ took pieces of her work and composed songs with Mike Irish, who also produced and mixed the EP at Shifted Recording Studios. The EP was mastered by Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis London Music. They took their time in discovering a sound that felt genuine, one that explored all the raw places she had been longing to find.Together, they created a modern amalgamation thoughtful poetry and her raw musical instincts ;which inevitably alchemized ;into songs that are all at once aggressive, sensual and moving.
Having shared a stage with ABBA, India.Arie and Jakob Dylan, it’s important to note her live performance prowess, even without tour dates on the books (speaking of longing). L’FREAQ played a packed NYC performance debut at SoHo House, and channeled Britney Spears (especially during her ferocious “Toxic” cover”), Nick Cave and Beats Antique vibes. The Deli Magazine;later dubbed her Éc;NYC’s Favorite Emerging Artist.Éd; She’s also currently playing Amy Winehouse in Las Vegas show “27”, and has been featured on the news several times for her iconic portrayal of Winehouse, who inspired her to sing in the first place, leaving audiences moved to tears from the experience.
NEW SINGLE “LOUD” OUT TODAY
WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE | LISTEN HERE
NEW DARK SYNTH-POP EP SHOWGIRL DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 VIA POSITION MUSIC
Track listing: SHOWGIRL EP
1.Gimmick
2. Showgirl
3. Take You Down
4. LOUD
5. Nothing on Me
PREVIOUS RELEASES BY L’FREAQ:
LISTEN TO “MAKE ME MOVE”: HERE
WATCH “NEW SKIN”: HERE
LISTEN TO WEIRD AWAKENINGS EP: HERE
WATCH “WEIRD AWAKENINGS” VIDEO: HERE
WATCH “MOONLIGHT” VIDEO: HERE
