Album Review: "Unraveling"

Album: Unraveling (2017)
Artist: Elise Trouw
Label: Goober Records
LB Rating: 3/5 (old rating: 5/10)

I stumbled upon Elise Trouw in her video where she performed Everlong meshed with a 70s song I did not know. That video showed me two things: Elise is clearly talented, and she is also clearly very attractive-looking. In the music industry, such is a dangerous combination of qualities to have, as it tends to skyrocket anyone into stardom. Therefore, I looked onward to Unraveling, the LP she released in 2017.

The cover art for Unraveling, Elise Trouw's debut LP. (Image source: Genius.com)

Unfortunately, I feel like Unraveling did not do justice to Elise's talent. Despite listening to the album without heavy expectations, I was disappointed.  Reasonably, debut LPs, especially from very talented artists, should establish the musical identity of the artist. As much as the I-can-do-it-all quality is the selling point Elise Trouw as an artist, it is merely a method to creating music. The produced songs should be paid regard as well, if not more. While Elise may have exhibited her multi-faceted talents in this album, the songs failed to do one important thing: create the Elise Trouw identity through the songs.

If I take consideration of the fact that Elise did most if not all of the instrumentations and vocals of the album, Unraveling is an awesome album. However, judging by the songs themselves, the Unraveling is relegated to an okay album. It's very safe; while it does not fail, it does not want to win anything at all. Id est, while the album demonstrated the variance of Elise's talents, Unraveling never went for the risky debut which could imprint Elise as one of the best rising musicians of this decade. That might sound like it's asking for much but it's not. Every aspiring artist wants to create that boom factor in their debuts. That is why it is so weird such drive did not manifest in Unraveling.

Elise Trouw is a young aspiring multi-talented artist from California, USA. (Image source: Stereofox.com)

The details of the songs are telling of this non-attempt to grab the center stage. The most irritating thing about the album is its refusal to be loud. I understand that it's a pop-jazz-rock album that's not meant to be loud--that's fine--but it's repeated usage of silence is disconcerting. It is usual for the songs to lead you on to this climactic solo or final chorus, only to see that the solo is either a simple repetition of the riff or just plain quietness accompanied by some instruments; or only to see that the final chorus is just a repetition of the chorus, consequently bringing dissatisfaction.

For instance, in the final chorus of "Target", you can hear Elise almost trying to hit the high notes which would have given that jaw-dropping reaction from an audience--instead, she just made this quick little noise. The edgy revenge song "Burn" only has that little hmmm as its climax.

"Unraveling never went for the risky debut which could imprint Elise as one of the best rising musicians of this decade." (Image source: thequietstorm.com)

It's anticlimactic. Don't get me wrong; the songs are okay, but they fall short from being actually memorable.

Despite the enormous amount of crap I say about Unraveling, I still believe that Elise is capable of so much more. I look forward to what else she can bring out in another album, or at least another single.



Follow Elise on her Instagram or Twitter @elisetrouw, or check her Youtube channel for more news about her. You can also check out her website or Amazon to buy her album.