Maude Latour’s EP “Starsick” was the ultimate launching pad for her eventual rise to fame
Maude Latour is a name you’re going to want to remember. With a voice scarily reminiscent of Lorde and a style of music with her own spunk, she is going to be big. Back in 2019, Latour, a student at Columbia University in New York City, released her first EP “Starsick.”
Here is a breakdown of each of its tracks:
“Starsick”
This is an intense song, with an immense amount of energy, without being too bubbly. The music video is preceded by a monologue from Latour and her poetic entrance references some of her lyrics, bringing up the themes of a new revolution, an exhaustion of lovesickness and what it means to be “starsick.”
“This song is every single thing I’ve ever tried to say… my blood my brain my soul crushed into 3 minutes,” she wrote back in 2019.
“Starsick” has an incredibly catchy electronic-pop beat and lyrics that hook the listener. Latour’s ability to add harmonies and sing with such depth really elevate the emotion of the song, as well.
“Superfruit”
This song is much more upbeat compared to “Starsick,” but not necessarily with the lyrical topics. Latour talks about loneliness and how, even when surrounded by people, it can still find its way to creep in.
“If you’re alone, it doesn’t mean you’re lonely /Cause I’m never alone and baby, I’m still lonely” sings Latour.
The energy of this song reminds me more of a social listen – something that plays in the car, that everyone sings along to or at a party that everyone dances to. The music video exemplifies this feeling while Latour is shown walking around the Columbia campus and interacting with multiple people in different environments.
In an interview with The New Nine, Latour explains how “Superfruit” came to be.
The word to her summarized the feelings of loneliness and fitting in at college.
“It represented a feeling of how badly I always want to drink juice and it reminded me of summer and happiness. I was kind of sick of writing feel-good songs,” said Latour.
It also encapsulates what it is like to have a crush and enjoying good times.
“It’s a juxtaposition of both of those feelings and acknowledging both of them. They aren’t mutually exclusive and they’re both essential to describe my identity” said Latour.
“Plans”
“Plans” reminds me of a Clairo song. Not sure which one, but the background and beat really give off the same vibe of a song that could be found on “Immunity.”
On Latour’s Youtube page, she has an uploaded acoustic version of this song, singing with a few other people, it is a new perspective of the song. It has a very different sound but is still just as powerful.
The theme of loneliness is somewhat picked up again in this song when Latour repeats how she wants to be alone with this person. Instead of being surrounded by people and feeling lonely, which doesn’t seem to be portrayed in a desirable light, now Latour paints this picture that she has found someone who she would prefer to be alone with than surround herself with anyone else.
“Shoot and Run”
I think that this is my favorite song off of the EP. It seems to be the most different out of the six songs. It really showcases the power of Latour’s voice and the realness in her songwriting.
She isn’t hiding anything in this song. The pure emotion and upfront intense word pour is really touching and something that is always refreshing in music. It is something that people are easily able to relate to and connect with. It is real and deep and human.
“Ride My Bike”
This song is amazing! Latour sings about “what it means to be alive” and the discovery of some sort of freedom. Despite the song title, she doesn’t mention riding a bike much, but more finding liberation on her feet with a “runner’s high.”
The bridge to this song really reminds me of the bridge from “I Love It” by Icona Pop. Both songs emphasize feelings of a careless, lightweight euphoria. Like “I Love It,” Latour’s song is one that many can dance and jump around to while singing the lyrics at the top of their lungs.
“Lovesick”
Latour begins the EP with “Starsick” and concludes it with “Lovesick.
She describes where she learned about lovesickness, from classes and famous poets, what it feels like and how it affects us.
“‘It used to be diagnosed by doctors. The thing is, lovesickness truly is so physical and all consuming. It affects my immune system, my clarity and the way I’m operating,” in an interview with The Line of Best Fit.
It is a powerful song to end her first EP with as it is filled with emotional lyrics and a “choir” singing during the chorus.
Latour is currently gaining traction on Tik Tok. A couple of her more recent singles “One More Weekend” and “Furniture” have started to be used as audios people’s short videos. She was also featured on the account @mostleymusic as part of their Rising Artist Series which helped her gain a lot of new listeners over the past few weeks.
It is time to start listening to Maude Latour and sharing the name with your friends so you can eventually tell them “I liked her before she blew up.” Her new single “Walk Backwards” came out on Friday, February 12, 2021.
