Review
Loud Love
Self Titled EP

White Russian Records (2019) Dennis

Loud Love – Self Titled EP cover artwork
Loud Love – Self Titled EP — White Russian Records, 2019

Loud Love is a Belgian five piece that released their debut EP on White Russian Records. Everyone in this record has past experience in other bands and you can hear that. If only because this sounds really tight and professional. Loud Love plays the kind of hardcore that reminds me of the melodic hardcore that Reflections Records released in the noughties, think Steel Rules Die and Circle. Especially the singer reminded me of that last band. A little research later and I patted myself on the back, I got it just right. This doesn't sound like the guy from Circle, it actually is the same guy.

Allow me to speak a bit more of the style of hardcore displayed on this sweet and short EP. After hitting play you'll find something post hardcore with some old-school elements hidden in it. There is also room for a dash of emo. Especially the vocals add that specific sound. The way Dries switches from clean to screams is phenomenal. He made Circle (check their album Vaudeville if you have the chance) an excellent band and with Loud Love his voice lifts this material above average. The music itself is pretty good as well, but really benefits from the great vocals. There is some nice melodic vibe to the Angels Maintenance that is aggressive and uplifting at the same time, like on “Slow News Day”. Picking a favorite song of this EP is not that easy, as each song hits it home. I guess my favorite song on this EP is “This Waltz” where the final line “For what it's worth, I’m sorry” feels so genuine it is almost cathartic. With only five songs this EP is way to short to my liking. I am looking forward to a full length by Loud Love. Bring it on!

8.5 / 10Dennis • November 4, 2019

Loud Love – Self Titled EP cover artwork
Loud Love – Self Titled EP — White Russian Records, 2019

Related features

Loud Love

One Question Interviews • January 5, 2020

Related news

It's Loud Love

Posted in Records on August 29, 2024

Loud Love returns

Posted in Records on August 14, 2021

Loud Love's "Vox Populi"

Posted in MP3s on February 28, 2021

Recently-posted album reviews

Errth

Errth
Uncle Style Records (2025)

What makes a gruff vocal melodic punk band stand out? That's the question I'm asking myself as I listen to Errth's debut on repeat. I've been playing this record for probably a month straight and I dig it. It checks the heart-on-sleeve style I enjoy but I'm struggling to figure out why, exactly. I think on this, it's the tones … Read more

1186

Histeria
Drunken Sailor (2025)

If you read enough press releases, you start questioning if you even know what genre names mean. Post-punk has been one of the most abused terms of the past 2-3 years and it seems to mean wildly different things to different people. To me, it’s always meant an ear for angular guitars and noise atop more traditional song concepts. 1186 … Read more

Li Jianhong

Shuttle Raven of the Dream
Utech (2025)

Li Jianhong's philosophy surpasses the direct relationship of a musician with their instrument of choice. Instead, Li has advocated for Environment Improvisation, where the urge to create and improvise is established by the artist's surroundings. Looking at Li's website you can find numerous instances that inspired him to settle down and start improvising, drawing energy from the surroundings. The music … Read more