'Louder, Please': Rose Gray's sound of youth and escapism

Rose Gray kicks off the year in style with 'Louder, Please', an exhilarating addition to the UK club scene. It's only fitting to blast this album at full volume across London venues this week in celebration.

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Energy rushes through the veins of ‘Wet & Wild’ which yes, might be lost on overcast, muggy days we are currently facing in East London, but its ability to transport you to a sunnier, carefree place is truly impressive. The catchy lyrics easily get stuck in your head, and its replay value is undeniable. With genre-blending dance music surging into the mainstream over the past year, partly driven by Charli XCX’s brat summer movement and social media welcoming the genre with open arms, this album's opening alone demonstrates that Rose has crafted an irresistible addition to the roster of 'IT girls' currently dominating the scene.

'Louder, Please' keeps the listeners' ears pricked as it creates a culmination of so many elements. Take 'Just Two', for example. An almost Britney Spears-type vocal presents a sweetness to the track, with lyrics like 'It’s never too late just to feel your presence' creating a space of sincerity. This is contrasted with a pulsing, distinctive beat adding pure intoxication to the sound, it feels like being in your prime and full of energy. It acts as a reminder of being young and fully digesting everything this time has to offer, the people whose presence you desire. The line 'You're my favourite part of Fridays' is simple in nature yet charming, offering an authentic tribute to the significance of loved ones around you.

'Tectonic' spotlights Gray’s impact as a lyricist; it creates an interesting break within the album. Her vocals take centre stage, delivering powerful lines like 'If I could move oceans, I would be with you tonight' to create an emotive build-up before the effortless shift to a place of euphoria. Gray told Apple Music, 'I wanted to use nature to describe that feeling of separation. I feel like we are connected, but when we’re away from each other, there’s a crashing of tectonic plates,' and we have a deep appreciation for Rose Gray's ability to infuse her songs with genuine emotion, elevating them beyond surface-level dance tracks. The heartfelt infusion of love gives the music a depth that resonates deeply. Fans of Robyn will particularly appreciate this track.

'Party People' stands out as a highlight of the record, capable of enticing even the most devoted homebodies to hit the dance floor (and that's saying something from someone who typically calls it a night at 9PM with a re-watch of Orange Is the New Black). The track perfectly encapsulates the thrill of shedding the day's stresses in favor of the gritty rush of the night. It feels like liberation.

Photo via Vasso Vu

'Angel Of Satisfaction' amplifies this feeling, intensifying the desire tenfold. It feels like a seductive call from an underground club, alluring you to join the adventure. Once again, Gray elevates the song to new heights, intertwining the thrill of the night with a reflection on the temptation and darkness it harbours, holding a mirror up to the lurking dangers that can swirl around you. Discussing the track with Clash, Rose commented that 'Angel of Satisfaction is a bit tongue-in-cheek – the idea of whoring for the glory – but it’s also about the darkness in the industry'. The enticing sound paired with lyrics like 'if you want too much, then it′s misery (misery) / 'Cause we′ve seen too much throughout history (history)' serve as a warning of a repetition of the past, and an observation of the plot unfolding around her. Her storytelling here is a real strength, and it doesn’t get lost in the trance of its sound.

'Switch' has been on repeat since its release in the autumn and created a real sense of anticipation for the album overall. This single set a high bar for 'Louder, Please', and clearly this is just one cog in the machine soundtracking your youth. This track oozes seduction, celebrating the playful exploration of sexuality and the fluid dynamics of relationships. It advocates for carefree fun, throwing out tradition, and simply enjoying the exchange of energy with someone without needing to define binaries of one role someone must play within the relationship.

Photo via Instagram (@rosegray_)

'Hackney Wick' speaks to the Londoner in you. Lyrics within this spoken word, stream of consciousness like ‘There’s this mad energy in East tonight' and 'she lives just off my old street in Bow / three minutes from Viccy Park’ presents the roots of Gray's life and own story. As East Londoners ourselves, this track resonates deeply, capturing the nostalgia and romanticism of familiar streets revisited time and again throughout the years. Asking ‘why does the city get me so well?’ expresses a profound admiration for the surroundings that have been a constant through every night out, even as we grow and change as people. This track shifts the album’s pace, serving as a beautifully articulated love letter to the city. This is a really special track.

As the album concludes, 'Everything Changes (But I Won't)' feels like the reflection at the end of a party, where you want to be surrounded by people you trust not only for the highest highs but the lowest lows, and everything in between. Rose has a talent for creating earnest moments that hold weight across the record, with this appreciation of consistent loved ones in a time where everything feels like the gears are constantly switching. The song feels like hearing your own heartbeat on the journey home after a night of exhilaration, with the thud of the music still echoing through your mind as you drift to sleep. It perfectly encapsulates how a night out can instantly transform into a nostalgic memory that lingers for years.

'Louder, Please' is entirely contagious. It is maximalist and passionate in nature, but its more tender moments throughout bring it back down to earth and create a fuller experience for the listener. Rose Gray has delivered an album that insists on being played loud.