London-based purveyor of alt-pop Fran Lobo has announced that her debut album Burning It Feels Like will arrive on 18 August through Heavenly Recordings. Previous single “All I Want” features on the record, as does today’s new single “Tricks”, which will be the closer. Lobo says:
“‘Tricks’ is inspired by a 1970s kind of songwriting sensibility. It’s classic in its structure but with weird production and sound design. It’s direct and vulnerable and it explores those ‘tricks’ where you’re playing mind games with yourself, world-building in your head. It’s theatrical and dark, it’s me taking the piss out of myself whilst playing on fairy tales, the idea of the ‘crazed woman’ and unrequited love/ love addiction.”
At a remove from the work, Lobo can say that she’s taking the piss out of herself, but in the midst of “Tricks” she is deadly serious about her emotions. Supported by atmospheric piano chords and tense electronics, Lobo sounds like a woman on the verge of a breakdown. It’s beautiful while being slightly unsettling, but Lobo’s voice ensures that the human element remains the beating heart of the undulating confession. She’s simultaneously trapped by and attracted to her tormentor – namely her mind – and this push and pull is the lifeblood of “Tricks”, Lobo repeating “keep playing these tricks on me” as both a request and complaint. While Lobo in the song is uncertain of herself, the Lobo who created the song is in full control, wringing a range of emotion out of the direct but dynamic way she presents her struggle.
Watch the video for “Tricks” below or find it on streamers.
Fran Lobo’s debut album Burning It Feels Like is out on 18 August through Heavenly. You can find Fran Lobo on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
