London-based electronic artist Blue Loop’s debut album ‘Cycles’ has an incredibly personal story attached to it. The album and title track were largely crafted across the summer of 2023 when Emma Hall, the person behind Blue Loop, was diagnosed and treated for stage 3 breast cancer. Emma had planned to take time off in April 2023 to complete her second EP, but on the very first day, she was diagnosed with cancer. Speaking about the trials ahead, Emma says:
“Faced with eight cycles of chemotherapy over five months, I wondered if I could complete one song per cycle, to give some purpose to that time other than my illness. Give or take some moments where I was simply too unwell to write, that is loosely what happened and so the EP evolved into the full album Cycles.”
The album itself features plenty of layered vocals, trip-hop beats, analogue synths, and electro-pop. The title track ‘Cycles’ leans towards the trip-hop side of things, with a discombobulated opening section of bubbly synths that slowly form into their own smoother, cyclic patterns. It’s the first time music from Blue Loop has featured her own vocals, making it feel more vulnerable and personal. Emma recorded the majority of the vocals leading up to her mastectomy. Vocally, I’m reminded of Jenny Hval’s ethereal, intimate delivery. The track is quite abstract for a lead single, but it sets out a compelling tone that draws you in as the track becomes more complex. You’ll also hear found sounds from hospital equipment dotted throughout the music. To me, the song feels like discovering a little box of treasures that you want to protect at all costs. Blue Loop’s music is delicate, despite putting strength and resilience firmly on show.
‘Cycles’ the single, is out now, with the album due out on 7th November. For more information about the album, visit Blue Loop’s website.
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