Following the release of his sophomore album YOUFORIA, Suffolk alt-pop artist LOOME is embracing life’s highs, lows and everything in between. Written in an intense six-week creative burst, the record is a celebration of authenticity, encouraging listeners to see beauty in both their triumphs and their flaws. Known for crafting every aspect of his music himself, from songwriting and performance to production and engineering, LOOME has built a distinctive sound that balances shimmering pop melodies with heartfelt lyricism and alternative edge. For On The Record, we caught up with LOOME to discuss the inspiration behind YOUFORIA, the challenges and rewards of DIY artistry, overcoming creative burnout and why he hopes the album reminds listeners that they’re the main character in their own story.
Welcome to Unrecorded! For those who aren’t already familiar with LOOME, can you introduce yourself?
I’m LOOME an independent artist from the United Kingdom. I write pop songs that embrace both the happy and the sad. I grew up watching sci-fi shows, learning instruments and writing songs. Now I make everything start to finish on my own.
Congratulations on the recent release of your album! For those discovering you through YOUFORIA for the first time, how would you describe this release in three words?
Emotive, Real, Fun
This album is all about “celebrating YOU”, so what inspired this central idea?
In a world where social media allows you to filter your life and show only the good parts. I wanted to celebrate the everyday, the good and the bad cause it’s all LIFE and it’s all about YOU.
You wrote ten songs in six weeks, so were you surprised by your own productivity? And did a self-imposed deadline change the way you approached songwriting?
I’ve been writing since I was ten years old, I have months at a time where I write nothing, then I’ll write an album in six weeks. It wasn’t surprising, it was deliberate. I wanted this album to capture a mood and a moment in time, not to be edited over months and months.
It’s interesting that ‘Diamond Skin’ has it’s origins in creative burnout, do you have any advice for fellow creatives to get out of that slump?
Go and live your life, it’s full of inspiration but show up every day to hone your craft or to help others create.
Elsewhere you tackle feelings of ambition and self-sabotage, as in ‘The Shakedown’, so is that something you’ve personally struggled with?
Everyone has dreams and fears, it just depends which one you let win. It’s hard to beat someone that never gives up.
Thinking about how you write, record and engineer your own music, what are the benefits and challenges of that independence?
In four years I’ve released 45+ songs, there are very few artists who can match that. But being independent means that sometimes that feels like shouting into the void.
How important is it for LOOME records to feel handcrafted, even as your audience grows?
I’ve always believed songs are living breathing organisms, entire 3.5 minute worlds you bring into existence. What other way is there to make music?
What else do you hope that listeners will take away from YOUFORIA?
Joy – and an urgent desire to buy merch and get themselves to a show.
Following the release of this album, what will be next on the horizon for you?
I’d love to collaborate more and play shows, LOTS of shows.
You can also find album track ‘Diamond Skin’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
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