Loraine James - Reflection
Shortly after the summer of 2019, ‘For You And I’ was released, an impressive debut that saw Loraine James send bone-hard beats into deconstructed chaos. Drill and grime influences seeped through. For ‘Reflection’, James leaves the grime behind and pushes herself in a more melodic direction, juggling between drill and R’nB. The result is a less contrasting sound. Which was also heard on the late 2020 EP ‘Nothing’. It was an exercise in getting used to working with vocalists. An exercise she continues on ‘Reflection’, with ‘Let’s Go’ and ‘Simple Stuff’ among the few tracks that still nod to her debut. Built To Last’ opens it. Brimming with eagerness, she throws herself into ‘Reflection’ and, as the title suggests, James takes a somewhat introspective look that she mixes with a turbulent confidence shrouded in empathy. She doesn’t always feel this confidence, as she sings on ‘Self Doubt (Leaving The Club Early)’. Deep UK bass, a whisper that only briefly comes to the fore as a chorus, bleep and a shy presence. The title track hides behind a similar approach. In a tough genre, James reveals himself to be openly sincere and exposed. Fairy with Baths on ‘On The Lake Outside’ as the bass drifts. Loraine James is a musical sleeper. Her favourite pastime: creating contrasting rhythms and bass, even if she occasionally throws in a sweet-voiced vocal line (‘Running Like That, Feat. Eden Samara’). Reflection’ is less direct than her debut. James has hidden the genius from the superficial listener. We’re Building Something New’ could be in the charts, but it is questionable whether James wants to go there. Anyway, ‘Reflection’ may not be the expected logical follow-up to her debut, but 2020 did turn everything upside down.