Louisahhh - Like A Vice
About the Artist
"A Trap I’ve Built is an intentionally brutal body of work. Wading through murky themes of rape culture, addiction, masochism, and deprivation, whatever isn't explicitly lyricized bleeds through in a sonic ambush. It is my intention that listening to these songs, or DJing them, should be an experience that leaves the audience a little shaken up—something they can feel in their teeth. I hope that A Trap I’ve Built is delighted in because (not in spite) of the fact that it is upsetting."
– Louisahhh
Louisahhh, a Los Angeles-born, Paris-based producer, has carved a niche in the underground techno scene with her signature blend of raw intensity and poetic depth.
Known for her collaborations with techno heavyweights and her independent work on the label RAAR, Louisahhh’s music is unapologetically visceral, addressing themes of empowerment, rebellion, and vulnerability. Like A Vice exemplifies her ability to merge gritty, industrial production with deeply emotional storytelling.
About the Song
Like A Vice unfolds like a living, breathing cathedral of sound, where minimalist rhythms evolve into towering walls of industrial techno. It begins with a sparse, almost cacophonic line of minimalist sounds—fractured, distant percussions that leave an unsettling silence in their wake. This intentionally disorienting introduction lingers, building a sense of tension that feels like something is about to break. Then, after what feels like an eternity, the voice emerges, its first words cutting through the chaos:
"Feels dangerous?"
This question is both an invitation and a declaration, a relief after the discomfort of the intro. It signals that the song is no longer a fragmented puzzle but a cohesive whole—its jagged edges now fitting together. The listener, once unsure, now feels grounded, as the track smoothly flows into its full form. What seemed like an erratic, disjointed beginning reveals itself as an integral part of the song’s larger plan, an intentional buildup to the moment of realization.
From this point on, Louisahhh’s haunting vocal delivery leads the listener through a journey of industrial energy and lyrical introspection. With pounding basslines, distorted textures, and a powerful sense of urgency, the track paints a sonic landscape that is at once foreboding and liberating. It captures the push and pull between control and surrender, reflecting an emotional journey that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
As the song progresses, its architecture becomes deliberately claustrophobic, enveloping the listener in a maze of sound that is both suffocating and freeing. The industrial walls of techno press inward, heightening the tension, yet paradoxically expand outward, offering fleeting glimpses of freedom within confinement. This interplay of constriction and release mirrors the emotional depth and intensity that defines the track. Each moment builds upon the last, creating a dynamic tension that propels the listener forward, as if there’s no turning back now. The song is not just heard; it is felt in the body, in the pulse, in the space between control and surrender.
As Like A Vice fades out, the song leaves the listener suspended, as if they’ve just crossed a threshold but are unsure whether they’ve emerged unscathed or transformed. The abruptness of the ending echoes the song's themes, creating an unresolved tension that lingers long after the music stops.
By the end, the listener is left suspended, utterly alone in the void. The abrupt conclusion—where pounding basslines and haunting vocals vanish in an instant—leaves the listener feeling exposed and introspective, as if the song has stripped away all pretense. It's a confrontation with vulnerability, creating an unresolved tension that lingers long after the music stops.
About the Album: A Trap I've Built
The track Like A Vice is part of Louisahhh’s gripping album, A Trap I’ve Built, which stands as one of her most uncompromising works to date. Available as part of a curated set on SoundCloud
The album takes listeners on a relentless journey through the shadowy edges of techno and industrial soundscapes. It is exploration of extremes: raw, brutal, and unflinchingly honest.
The album's voice-as-vice brutality becomes its defining characteristic, with Louisahhh's vocals dominating, piercing, and commanding rather than merely complementing the instrumentation. Her voice carries raw yet deliberate power, echoing the struggle and triumph central to the album's narrative.
Brutality as an Art Form
“A Trap I’ve Built” isn’t just an album—it’s an assault, both sonically and emotionally. The relentless pounding basslines, distorted synth layers, and frenetic percussive elements work in tandem with Louisahhh’s vocal grit to create a soundscape that feels like a constant push-and-pull between chaos and catharsis.
This collection is an exploration of extremes: raw, brutal, and unflinchingly honest. Each track is a testament to Louisahhh's ability to channel intense emotional landscapes into meticulously crafted sonic experiences. Where tracks like Numb, Undone pulse with hypnotic despair, others, like Feral Rhythm, exude primal urgency, clawing at the listener’s subconscious.
The SoundCloud set highlights the raw, unfiltered nature of the tracks. Listening to the album in this form enhances its brutality, as the absence of studio polish underscores the primal energy that Louisahhh brings to her craft. The SoundCloud version feels like a performance at its most vulnerable—a direct confrontation with the listener, daring them to engage with its unrelenting intensity.
The brutality of the album lies not just in its raw production but in the way it demands introspection from its listeners. Louisahhh’s voice often teeters on the edge of breaking, carrying the weight of her lyrical themes—power, addiction, rebellion, and the struggle to find freedom within self-imposed limitations. In tracks like Like A Vice, her voice twists like a blade, making you question whether the resolution will be liberation or surrender.
Voice and Techno: A Dual Storytelling Mechanism
One of the most remarkable aspects of "Like A Vice" is how Louisahhh’s voice and the techno lines interplay to tell a story that feels alive and unpredictable. Her voice isn’t just a vessel for the lyrics; it’s a character in its own right, whispering, pleading, commanding, and at times, defying the relentless pulse of the music. The techno backdrop serves as an emotional mirror, evolving with the vocal performance, weaving an atmosphere that reflects the emotional stakes of the narrative.
The opening verse introduces the central metaphor of the song—a vice—representing something that is both alluring and suffocating. Louisahhh's breathy, restrained delivery is matched by minimal percussion and a repetitive synth loop, creating a sense of quiet desperation. The subdued arrangement mirrors the internal struggle hinted at in the lyrics.
The Voice: Telling a Story
Louisahhh’s vocal performance carries raw emotion, drawing listeners into a world of tension and desire. In lines like “It pulls me in, like a vice,” her restrained delivery feels like a confession, quietly powerful. As the song builds, her voice transforms, embodying defiance and empowerment. By the final moments, when she declares, “It’ll break me, but I’ll ascend,” her tone is triumphant, yet layered with complexity.
The Techno Lines: A Living Atmosphere
The techno production mirrors and amplifies the emotional story. From the ominous, suffocating synths of the opening to the chaotic yet cathartic intensity of the chorus, the music evolves in step with the narrative. Its unpredictability—teetering between hope and despair—keeps listeners on edge. Will the music resolve in light or descend further into darkness? It’s a question the track refuses to answer clearly, keeping its emotional tension alive.
The Ending: A Sudden Disappearance
As the track reaches its final moments, the relentless intensity gives way to an unexpected quiet. The pounding basslines and haunting vocals vanish almost suddenly, leaving the listener in a state of suspended reflection. The ending isn’t gradual—it’s abrupt, like stepping off a cliff into silence. This deliberate choice feels like a final commentary on the themes of the song: just as the story of control and surrender culminates, it dissipates, leaving an unresolved tension.
"Like A Vice" is a song that defies easy categorization. It’s intense, raw, and deeply emotional, yet it leaves its ultimate message open to interpretation. Is the ending triumphant or tragic? Does the sudden silence symbolize liberation or a descent into nothingness?
The song’s unpredictability and emotional depth invite listeners to bring their own experiences to the narrative. It’s not just music—it’s an emotional mirror, asking you to reflect on your own relationship with control, desire, and surrender.
"Like A Vice" emerges as a living, breathing cathedral of sound—a masterpiece where minimalist heartbeats evolve into towering walls of industrial techno. The foundation is laid with subtle percussion, a rhythmic heartbeat that grows progressively intricate and intense. Each new layer of sound adds to the tension, creating an atmosphere that feels alive and ever-shifting.
What are your feelings as the music fades? Did it resolve positively or leave you questioning? Should the story continue, or is its abrupt conclusion part of its power?
The Ending's Echo
The track's conclusion is abrupt—pounding basslines and haunting vocals vanish suddenly, leaving listeners suspended in reflection. This deliberate choice serves as a final commentary on themes of control and surrender, creating an unresolved tension that lingers long after the music stops.
Overall Vibe
“Like A Vice” is a visceral experience, blending the raw energy of industrial techno with the emotional depth of Louisahhh’s lyricism. Its intense, empowering, and raw aesthetic captures the essence of human vulnerability and strength, making it a standout track in her discography. Perfect for late-night introspection or an underground club setting, the song exemplifies Louisahhh’s ability to connect deeply with her audience while pushing the boundaries of techno.
What Does the Song Leave You With?
"Like A Vice" defies easy categorization. It's intense, raw, and deeply emotional, yet leaves its ultimate message open to interpretation. The sudden silence might symbolize liberation or descent, triumph or surrender—each listener must find their own truth in its wake.
What do you feel at the end?
Liberation, loss, or something entirely different?
Let the silence after the final beat linger—it might hold the answer.
The Dual Narrative
Voice as Instrument
Louisahhh's vocal performance charts an emotional journey:
- Opening whispers of "It pulls me in, like a vice" emerge as quiet confessions
- Rising intensity transforms into embodied defiance
- Culminating in the triumphant yet complex declaration: "It'll break me, but I'll ascend"
Techno as Emotional Landscape
The production mirrors and amplifies this journey:
- Ominous, suffocating synths establish tension
- Chaotic yet cathartic intensity builds through the chorus
- Unpredictability keeps listeners suspended between hope and despair