Single Review: Feel This

It’s no surprise that Lou’ana has been nominated in three categories at the Pacific Music Awards. What would surprise is if she didn’t scoop up the two main ones – Best Soul/RnB artist and Best Female Artist. The third – Best Music Video – is too much of a lottery.

The industry nods come on the back of three stunning singles, which have showcased a vocal range and power that has shades of Amy Winehouse, Macy Gray and Tami Neilson and the indescribable longing of wolves howling at the full moon.

Feel This is the official entree to her debut album, which is due out in October, and simply oozes funk with lashings of spunk.

The song has a retro 70’s feel to it, with an organ groove reminiscent of Stevie Wonder and a sharp but ‘hip’ horn arrangement that would have done Tower of Power proud. Then there’s Lou’ana stalking a vocal line with gritty determination that gnaws away at the frustration of a relationship that’s stalled.

In the past, she’s shown she has the power to slam dunk a song. This time around she’s wrestling with one, which highlights different nuances in her vocal range.

It would be remiss not to mention the input of producer Nathan Judd, who harnesses a 14-piece band and a locomotive of a voice into a hit-in-the-making that never over or under-plays itself.

I’m definitely feeling this.