The three-piece Utrecht indie band Loema has released its debut single ‘Sleep Song’ today. The young band, consisting of vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Loes Bisschop, Max van Westerop and Nelleke Grimberg, manages to evoke a dreamy feeling in the track, which makes the title very appropriate.
The single, which lasts just under three minutes, is heralded by a long build-up and surprisingly does not follow conventional song structures. The song simply builds and builds without embodying a concrete verse or chorus. The accompanying instrument entries of the keys, guitar and soft background vocals follow each other closely. After the build-up, the accompaniment continues and forms a powerful melodic line with the lead vocals. This has a raw edge in contrast to the tender character of the background vocals, which contributes to the vulnerability of the music. The beat starts and, if you surrender to it, you are carried away by the sound.
The band, who played at Club 3voor12 Utrecht in November, uses various electronic instruments, alienating effects and samples to produce their floating sound, making it reminiscent of Lo Moon in terms of sound. In the single it can be seen that the band breaks away from the necessary musical conventions and that leads to a unique sound. The darker character of the music is enhanced by the lyrics. After all, in the background they are singing: “Save me, I can’t see”.
Their second single will be released on Friday May 24 as a precursor to the debut EP Flowers For No One, which will be released in August. The EP, like the single, is about letting go after a breakup. According to the title, flowers will be a common thread in the music. The band explains: “The sweet chamomile, which many know as a remedy for insomnia, serves this song as a bull’s-eye to find some peace in the heartache. This flower can be found on the artwork of ‘Sleep Song’.”
