Calva Louise - 'Edge Of The Abyss' Album Review

Sean Friswell
Jun 22
3 min read

Tracklist

1. Tunnel Vision

2. W.T.F

3. Aimless

4. Lo Que Vale

5. Impeccable

6. Barely A Response

7. The Abyss

8. El Umbral

9. La Corriente

10. Hate In Me

11. Under The Skin

It’s not often I review an album and finish listening while totally confused about whether I like it or not, this album is very much the exception to that rule.

This feels very much like the band have thrown everything at this album and, while much of it sticks and is incredibly good, there was some of it that just didn’t work for me, personally, which I’m not happy about as there is just so much good going on here!

It’s an album that’s not afraid of pushing every boundary, hardcore metal, check, dance music, it sneaks in there, multiple languages, of course, melodic moments, naturally, pop sensibilities, let’s have some of that, Latin influences, why not and some fantastic singing and playing, yes.

Although I do wish they wouldn’t fall back to the levels of harshness they introduce into some songs as it didn’t work for me, but I actually suspect it will work hugely for others (and maybe me long term as well, I may read this review back and be wondering why I wrote it!).

The band, themselves, clearly don’t care what you think of them, they are creating music that is shooting out in all sorts of directions, if anything my biggest issue with this album is that I don’t really know the band any better than I did when I started listening. They have left me confused and confounded in ways I’m not used to. I’m usually very clear what I like and don’t like, in the case of this album I really can’t decide if I like it or not, at times I was totally into it, at times I felt myself thinking no, don’t get it.

What’s more worrying for me, at least, is which time was which changed with every listen. At times I loved something I’d been confused by the previous time, then I decided I didn’t get something I previously loved. Then I flipped again.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt as confused and conflicted by any album as much as this one! There are some real moments of genius, some points that I thought wow and some moments when I thought nope, not for me. As I said though every listen subtly shifts what I think about each song. I’m going to give this a four as I really don’t know whether it’s a five or a three, which is the genius of it. I suspect if you get it then you will absolutely get it and probably hunt me down to explain my ignorance to me.

I think, with time, I may get it as well but I’m still trying to work it out, I hate not being sure what I think and whether I like it but it’s, without a doubt, the most challenging album I’ve listened to in a while.

Having listen to it a few times now my overall thought is I need to listen to it again, mission accomplished for Calva Louise, I think?

Favourite song? Who has a clue, I certainly don’t!

There is so much going on here I think I found it a bit overwhelming at times but at the same time I felt myself getting drawn in, intrigued and pushed away all at the same time.

This is very definitely a band to watch, what genre they are I have no idea, what they are trying to tell me, again, not a clue, do I think there is huge amount of talent here, absolutely!