Song of the Day: Louise Burns - Storms

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Storms,” by Louise Burns, from her 2017 album, Young Mopes, on Light Organ Records.

Louise Burns - Storms (MP3)Louise Burns got her start in music by playing bass in the early 2000’s Canadian pop band, Lillix. The group covered The Romantics’ “What I Like About You,” which was then featured in the theme song of the TV series of the same name, as well as the film Freaky Friday. Now the Vancouverite has two solo records under her belt, as well as a couple of festival dates set for this summer. Burns' newest record is called Young Mopes, but don’t be fooled – these are some of her most energetic tracks yet. The record’s namesake comes from a critic’s description of Burns in a review for her first record, The Midnight Mass, where he said she was a “young mope.”

“It wasn’t written for him, but I thought ‘young mopes’ was perfect,” Burns said in response. “That’s me and my friends, old souls with teenage hearts.” The third track on the record, “Storms,” is pretty much the exact opposite of mopey, beginning with a cheerful kick drum rhythm before Burns’ breezy vocals chime in. She sings, “It's been a while since you have shown/the greatest depths of your unknown,” as she begins to embrace an existential crisis explored in the rest of the album. The melodic guitars create a luminous, new wave sound that contrasts the lyrics, keeping the track lively, yet nostalgic. “Storms” is the capstone for Burns’ glittering, adolescent record with an older spirit.

Catch Louise Burns just north of the border playing a few Canadian festivals this summer, and keep an eye on her website and Facebook page for any announcements of US dates. In the meantime, check out the video for “Storms” below.