A Sense of eMotion with Lauren L’aimant
We live in an age of pigeon-holing art. To satisfy a person’s listening needs on a streaming platform, an algorithm would take an artist’s musical output and label it something absurdly broad like ‘rock’, ‘pop’ or ‘dance’. And while you’re encouraged to dance to Lauren L’aimant’s music, her debut EP ‘Motions’ is full of more human emotion than can be whittled down to an algorithmic statistic.
Lauren L’aimant has been the name of songwriter and producer Lauren Cumberpatch’s artistic endeavours since 2014. In 2017 she released solo singles entitled ‘Deny My Love’ and ‘Family’ and has been busy collaborating with many other artists since. This includes working with DJ and songwriter Maxinne on her 2021 debut album ‘Red Alert’ featuring their songs ‘Take It Anymore’ and ‘Tell Me Something’.
Lauren has also worked with duo Icarus on numerous occasions including accompanying them on their first headline tour and a support tour in the US. Originally signed to their Fly Boy label, Lauren L’aimant has formed her own label to release her new music, called The Loved Ones. Together with L’aimant, Icarus co-produce her ‘Motions’ EP as well as undertake the mastering for the finished tracks. The first single came in May, with the full EP released in August.
‘One Night is all we need to fall in love…’
The build-up at the start of this EP brings us into ‘One Night’, where the synths are as rhythmic as the programmed drums behind them. In the first verse, listen to how each instrument is added steadily in the arrangement, allowing you to exist on the fringe of the track before the first chorus. Lauren L’aimant’s voice is carefully layered here, with an array of backing vocals that elevate this track even further. One Night is undoubtedly single material, full of energy and the sound of the city - it could well win anyone over in L’aimant’s live sets. Play loud.
By contrast, ‘Call Me Home’ takes a step back and embraces more of a lyrical focus. The beat itself still has a bounce, and the music is dominated by the sound of analogue synthesizers. Already Lauren L’aimant shows her range when One Night and Call Me Home are placed side-by-side. The former is a dance anthem while the latter forces you to pay more attention to L’aimant as a songwriter. Check out part of the first verse and chorus:
‘Midnight, gone are the blue skies. But you’re still beautiful, you’re still beautiful in my eyes. Call Me Home, I’ll be your sanctuary, rainy days are only temporary, take shelter, I’ll never give up, you know I’ll never give up.’
‘I lost my brother in November last year. The week after he died, I wrote Forever Young. For me, it was the only way I could really let out what I was feeling, but it stands for so much more than that. It's about celebrating young life lost, and it's not only for me, for my family, my brother's girlfriend, friends and anyone that knew him. It's for anyone who's lost somebody before they should have.’ – Lauren L’aimant
Lauren’s heartfelt tribute to her brother begins with smooth reversed sounds that almost feel like they’re pulling you back in time. The focus here is on L’aimant’s vocal and lyricism, following piano and a layer of heavenly synths that remain throughout. ‘Forever Young’ isn’t awash with beats, because it simply doesn’t require it. This song has everything it needs, carried by the weight of the delicate subject matter. Truly, the melody is beautiful, and so are the words - the line in particular that jumped out at me was this:
‘You would never worry about your time, all that ever mattered was the now you’ve left behind.’
The music video by Henry Hopkin Brown further imparts Lauren L’aimant’s message and love for her brother. As well as plenty of it being shot on Brighton Beach, there are also family photographs and archive footage shown throughout. An artist baring their soul as honestly as Lauren L’aimant has with this song and music video is a rare thing, but it’s a reminder that art can be a healer, whether you’re the one making it or the one absorbing it. I’m sure plenty of people have already found solace in ‘Forever Young’.
‘Moonlight’ is the second single from the Motions EP and was released in July. Like Forever Young, it’s received play on BBC Introducing East (Beds, Herts and Bucks). Moonlight is the only song on the EP to be a co-write, featuring contributions from Paul Usher, Tom Griffiths and Ian Griffiths. It also returns to the dance sound as heard on One Night, though amongst the beat, there’s something more chilled out about Moonlight that I can’t put my finger on. Perhaps it’s the more rounded programming, the pad keyboard or distant synths. L’aimant again makes all the perfect decisions with her vocal in terms of melody, harmony and production choices in the layering.
Watching the visualiser for Moonlight, it’s like you’re seeing a completely different artist from the one who made Forever Young. It further supports the range of styles and lyrical exploration you get on the Motions EP. Her live video of the track, recently released on her YouTube channel, is a taste of what you’d see in a Lauren L’aimant live performance.
I think there’s a certain kinship between Moonlight and ‘Route 66’. Musically the two go very well together, and thematically it’s like the progression of a story if Moonlight wasn’t a happy ending. ‘Hitting 66 ‘cause this time I’ve had enough…’ The drum programming here is fairly constant, as is L’aimant’s vocal, which gives it scope to be extended or remixed for a club setting. Perhaps this is what Lauren would do in a live situation? The overall feel of Route 66 is like a daydream, if the daydream was soundtracked with a crisp beat.
‘Maybe I will be the one who got away, maybe I have dodged a bullet.’
The more reflective ‘Our Time’ begins with a fade-in of rain and the atmospheric synths Lauren L’aimant does so well. Our Time has an epic quality that none of the other tracks on the Motions EP has, and that’s why it’s the perfect song to conclude this collection. I could easily imagine this played with an orchestra interpreting the arrangement with live strings, a percussionist playing timpani parts and Lauren L’aimant’s voice easily capable of matching the power an ensemble like that brings.
Our Time proves that a build-up can be achieved without the traditional increasing dynamic of a snare and thud of bass, but in the intensity of the vocal and density of the keyboard layers that surround it. A real surprise finish to this EP and could also be an interesting single if it followed one of the more dance-based tracks.
Lauren L’aimant has made an EP that has all the markings of a fully-fledged album. Her range speaks for itself, no two songs are the same. Motions shows that L’aimant’s musical pacing, genuine lyrics and excellent production come together to give listeners great songs that can be listened to as a whole, but also thrive in playlist culture. Read on for our Q&A with Lauren L’aimant, where we discuss the making of the EP, working with Icarus, The Loved Ones record label and more.
1. Your debut EP 'Motions' centres on relationships and particular moments within them. What was the defining point when you knew that's what the theme of this EP would be?
I didn't really consider this concept during the actual writing of these songs, probably because I was so caught up in the moment each time - it was more a notion that came in hindsight when I started picking the songs I wanted on the EP. I noticed there was a running theme which tied it all together, and this came after 'Our Time' was written.
2. You worked with Icarus across these songs, what was that experience like?
I've been involved with Icarus for a good few years now, so our working relationship is always open, fun and productive. Working so closely alongside them has made me a better writer and producer, and I'm incredibly grateful for that.
3. 'One Night' is such an energetic way to kick off this EP! When writing, do the beats come first? Or are the songs written more traditionally with chords and lyrics, then produced?
I don't really have a set 'process'. Sometimes lyrics or melodies just randomly come to me, whilst other times, I'll be sitting at my keyboard playing chords and I'll hear something. More recently I've been vocalising my thoughts and feelings into an app, which transcribes everything you've said, and I will go back to these and pick out words or phrases that have the most clout, and try and put them into a song. I think variety is part of the fun of it!
4. As well as more modern instruments, you also use vintage synths, is that what you're playing on 'Call Me Home'? What are the vintage synths you like to play?
I absolutely adore old sounding synths like the CS-80, Prophet and vintage Korg instruments. I would absolutely LOVE to own the real things one day but for now, I use the plug-in versions!
5. There are so many interesting aural moments in these songs. I love the reversed introduction to 'Forever Young', what was that sound originally? Was it always meant to be reversed?
Thank you! That was a piano originally. The more atmospheric parts there were samples that I'd found, some were reversed too. It was intentional - when I hear it, it almost feels like it takes me back in time, like how it feels when I actually think about my brother.
6. 'Moonlight' goes back to 2017, what has changed in the track between then and now? Is the original completely different?
Yes! It started out as a more retro Pop oriented song, and then was taken under the wing of the Icarus boys and it was transformed into a super classy, almost Indie, Dance tune. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
7. The live video for 'Moonlight' is so full of energy, are there more of those coming?
Definitely. Covid killed the prospect of any live performances this last year so I've been taking to my back garden to get my fix of showing off! I fully intend on doing more, providing the English Summer doesn't throw a spanner in the works!
8. The videos for 'Forever Young' and 'Moonlight' are both very different - if you could make a video for another of the songs, which would it be and what would the video look like?
Well. I'm currently dreaming up ideas for the 'One Night' video. Dare I say I'm drawing influence from 80s music videos...?
9. Some of the lyrics on the EP sound more direct - is 'Route 66' referring to THE Route 66 spanning the U.S.?
You got it. I wrote that song around the time I went on tour with Icarus in America. We were on the road a hell of a lot and my relationship actually broke down whilst I was out there. I was inspired by the idea of running away from everything, seeing new places, finding myself. And Route 66 was born.
10. I love how 'Our Time' concludes the EP, did you agonise over the tracklist? Or was it obvious how you wanted these songs to slot together and progress?
The tracklist was really quite easy to order. 'One Night' seemed the perfect opener, with its energy and message; it also reflects the excitement of a new relationship, and following this, the other songs represent the different stages and difficulties of relationships, and of life in general and the things that happen to us.
11. Your EP is being released on your own record label, The Loved Ones. What prompted the formulation of the label? Are there acts you'd love to sign?
Creating The Loved Ones was an idea that took a few years to bring to fruition but it felt like the right thing at the point of releasing my EP. I want it to be an extension of my brand, my sound, and what I'm about, and I would love to eventually bring other artists into that in the future.
12. You've also worked with many other artists, but what's been your favourite project outside of your own work?
I absolutely love being involved in the production of a song, not just writing the topline. I've been doing a lot of co-production with my collaborator and friend, Maxinne, and I'm really excited to see where that can go in the future.
13. Finally, how are you feeling about venues and live spaces opening back up? Are you looking forward to playing these songs live?
I had my first proper night out last week, which felt so good after so long! I have missed dancing more than you'll ever know. I absolutely cannot wait to play live again, hopefully there will be an opportunity to do so soon!
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The music of Lauren L’aimant is available to download and stream in all the usual places.
Follow Lauren L’aimant on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @laurenlaimant.
Follow The Loved Ones record label on Instagram @wearethelovedones_, Facebook @wearethelovedones and on Twitter @_thelovedones.
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