Lorana – I Hope You Know I Love(d) You
Lorana has released her third EP: “I Hope You Know I Love(d) You.” The title alone piques your curiosity. She describes it as ‘an ode to big feelings of non-romantic love.’ Together with co-producer Jules Koniezcny, the Belgian-born singer explores the slippery path of interpersonal emotions. These emotions can seem clear on the surface, but also the hidden ones that linger beneath, only to suddenly emerge at certain moments. They can bring clarity, but more often, they create confusion. However, they always help you take a step further in friendships and personal growth. The seven songs on “I Hope You Know I Love(d) You” are deeply personal. Lorana addresses sensitive themes with lighthearted lyrics, but the clever wordplay suggests there’s more beneath the surface. As with her previous EPs, “Here In Between” (2020) and “The Edge Of Real” (2023), she delves into the duality of life—the endless evolution toward something we know will never truly conclude, only develop.
The 37 seconds of “Intro” immediately set the tone for the entire EP. A ‘Lynchian’ phone conversation… ‘I don’t know, maybe I need some patience,’ says a somewhat ominous voice, before abruptly ending the call, leaving Lorana confused: ‘Hey friend, are you still there?…’ In “Hopeless Romantic,” this theme is further developed into a delightful alt-pop song. Catchy yet profound, with different emotions intertwining. This is quintessential Lorana: ‘I make movies of silly scenes, don’t kill my dreams, I can’t live without it.’ She uses this catchy yet intriguing style again later on “Wild West.” Both tracks could easily stand alone as strong singles.
The remaining four songs showcase Lorana’s more reflective side. The titles themselves seem to offer glimpses into the songs’ themes. In “Former Best Friend,” she expresses her feelings in a calm indie-folk style, complemented by a fitting male second voice. After all, friendships always involve more than one person, don’t they? “Unspoken” leans more heavily on the piano, allowing Lorana’s voice to convey a full range of emotions, from restrained to desperate. This song reaches deep inside you, with universally relatable emotions delivered with personal intensity. Then, on “Moorgate Station,” Lorana shows that her voice isn’t just good at conveying emotions, but is simply excellent, with a broad range.
