Live music review: Synth pop artist Lou Rebecca album release show at Mohawk
September 19 was a big day for Lou Rebecca. Unbeknownst to her until the day before, she landed the cover of The Austin Chronicle. The up and coming synth-pop artist would then play her album release show for her first full-length, Restless at The Mohawk the next evening. A heady start for a show and new record with major buzz around it.
Through the synthetic fog filling the Red River Cultural District’s indoor venue on Friday, a confident, petite figure moved to Eighties-inspired synth-pop sounds. She emerged wearing antlers highlighted by blue fluorescence. It was certainly an eye-catching entrance.
It took some time for the album to come out. After a self-titled, four-track EP release in January of 2018, fans of the Parisian-turned-Austinite were out full force, packing the intimate venue for the performance promoting the new material on Austin’s Holodeck Records imprint.
Opening with “More,” Lou Rebecca seemed to have placed the audience in a familiar zone, though the album was just released that day. Giddy, excited smiles filled the room. The new LP’s opening track, “Waiting” followed.
A consistent, steady energy was marked by the tempo and tone subtly shifting throughout the evening. Lou Rebecca wore a mask and appeared with the occasional accompaniment of synchronized dancers, fans immersed themselves in the spectacle, some wearing costumes of their own. As the singer donned her black leather jacket, the pace of the show suddenly accelerated with “Break It Apart.”
When Lou Rebecca informed the crowd that only two songs remained, a few onlookers mentioned “Bonbon,” reminding us that the hours-old LP already had its fan favorites. She didn’t play that song, instead winding up the show with “Desire,” the lead single from new album. The performance, again supported with dancers and complex choreography, proved a worthy finale for the hyped-up performance that clearly lived up to the buzz it generated.
It’s become overtly apparent that Lou Rebecca is on the rise. Her music has familiar, soft quality, laced with subtle boldness. That dichotomy serves her well. She possesses a confidence and charm that transmits throughout the material and places her audience under a hypnotic spell.
All photos David Castaneda
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