Review Summary: A British attempt at the French House sound that never seperates itself from its contemporaries, yet reveals strong potential for the future.
You’re forgiven for not having heard of Louis La Roche before. You’re also forgiven for being skeptical about a British artist attempting to jump in on the French House sound. Yet as skeptical as one may be based on the appearance and background of Louis, his EP
Me & Her is hard to knock. His influences are put on display for all to see, and at only 18 it is clear to see that the sound of French house artists like Cassius, Le Knight Club & Daft Punk emanate throughout his music. Perhaps it should be taken as a criticism that songs like
Be Brave could easily have been chucked in as a bonus track on any Le Knight Club release. Yet even if it doesn’t have the freshest sound anymore,
Be Brave bounces along to a delicious groove. A couple of times the song breaks down awkwardly, but when he just lets the rhythm take the listener on a ride; its charm proves infectious.
The separation in sound between songs on the EP is lacking, and it won’t be surprising if after listening through one couldn’t match each song name to the music.
Me & Her also takes an upbeat sound, and works the funky little rhythm with a nice touch to get the listener grooving to the music.
Distant Lovers differs slightly, showing influences outside the French house style of Cassius and Le Knight Club. It pushes heavily digitalized vocals that fit nicely with the beat but fall prey to the same trap, hardly sounding fresh or new. Ultimately this basic flaw prevents La Roche’s
Me & Her EP from ever becoming a classic of the genre. Worked into a playlist, La Roche seems comfortable in amongst big names and pretty much anything on the Ed Banger Records label. But while unfamiliar with the name Louis La Roche, those familiar with the genre will get a strong feeling of deja vu with
Me & Her. It is nice to know La Roche is capable of pulling off groovy numbers that at times match the big names of the genre toe to toe. But the next step for La Roche is in defining a sound of his own, and hopefully making some bold moves.
