After an eventful 2023, in which the group released their debut full-length, Amsterdam indie rock quartet Loupe are quick to strike again. Their newest comes in the form of “Tested Waters,” an indie rock earworm that haunts as much as it drives. Devout female vocals fall against a smooth alternative soundscape distinctly marked by a string section that wastes no fretboard. While there’s no measurable nostalgic element, it’s also not unlike spheres previously explored by indie greats like Radiohead or Warpaint.
“As a teenager I had the tendency to exaggerate things,” says singer Nina Ouattara, who joined the group last summer, replacing previous frontwoman Julia Korthouwer. “Especially when not being able to control my emotions.” It’s an exploration of the anxiety and being stuck in one’s own head, but perhaps growth as well. Moreover, it’s the beginning of a new era of Loupe which will see the band touring the UK in coming weeks, and more installments of their next EP in coming months.
Words by Andy Gorel
Photos by Tony Dočekal
“As a teenager I had the tendency to exaggerate things. Especially when not being able to control my emotions. That’s the feeling I tried to capture in the song.”
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