Following the acclaim of their debut album released last year, Amsterdam’s indie rock quartet Loupe makes a triumphant return with the new single, ‘Tested Waters’.
An introduction to the band’s new vocalist Nina Ouattara, the track offers a tantalising preview of what’s to come on the band’s hotly anticipated upcoming EP.
Produced by Arne van Petegem and mixed by Beau Sorenson (known for his work with Death Cab For Cutie and Sparklehorse), ‘Tested Waters’ immediately draws listeners in with a blend of warm, plucky bass and filtered drums. The intricate musicality and haunting melodies that follow create an ethereal soundscape that showcases Loupe’s evolving sonic identity.
Nina’s vocals take centre stage, guiding the narrative through the lens of teenage introspection and exploring the complexities of a relationship where boundaries are pushed to extremes. As the track progresses, the dark and brooding lyrics in the chorus find balance with a catchy vocal hook and a loose, syncopated groove in the rhythm section. The band describes ‘Tested Waters’ as a reinvention, sounding “more determined and powerful than ever.”
Having garnered support from international press and radio, the bands global presence is further solidified by features on editorial playlists on Apple Music and Spotify, with the band even gracing a billboard in Times Square, New York. Loupe’s reputation as a formidable stage act has been earned through tours across Europe and standout performances at top festivals, including support slots for Porridge Radio, Lovejoy, and Moss.
In ‘Tested Waters,’ Loupe not only reaffirms their status in the indie rock scene but also leaves us eagerly anticipating the full scope of their musical journey with the forthcoming EP.