Dream-pop sweetheart Louise Carver delivers a lengthy ode to forbidden desire in her latest album, Dark Secrets. Almost entirely inspired by a single interaction, it charts the course of all the feelings that can surface when a riveting connection with a romantic prospect flowers, that’s decidedly out of reach (read: you’re both taken).
It’s a fascinating topic to dive into, actually. Carver gives herself free reign to unspool all the conflicting emotions that come along with a moment like that and the result is an impressively honest meditation on it all.
“Dark Secrets” forms the center point of the album, from which the rest of the tracks were born – it comes at the tail-end of the project, breathy, emotive and sensual, replete in the forbidden desire that drives it. But the rest of the album maintains this concept with variety.
“Summerdaze” is melancholic and synth-heavy, “Selfish” favours a pulsing pop tangent that smacks of Taylor Swift circa Reputation era, while “Take My Hand” is flirty, brassy, and underpinned by a thudding, energetic beat.
The album only really errs on the basis of length – the tracks often stretching on a little longer than can easily hold one’s attention. That being said, the production is slick, Carver’s vocals gorgeously delivered, and the theme captivating and delightfully guilt-edged – a sly, swoony reflection of what could be if one’s ethics don’t quite hold.
Feature pic supplied by artist
