REVIEW: LVCRFT — Scream for Halloween (SINGLE)

The fifth Halloween album from LVCRFT, V, is set for release on September 29th and the single “Scream for Halloween” promises that it’s a worthwhile successor to the band’s predecessors. The creative triumvirate behind the project’s success consists of electro-pop visionary Amanda “MNDR” Warner, Grammy-award winning songwriter/producer/engineer Peter Wade, and creative executive/songwriter Evan “Kidd” Bogart. The three-headed brainchild masterminding LVCRFT’s success boasts an eye-popping list of credits including Mark Ronson’s smash hit “Bang Bang Bang”, Jennifer Lopez, Rhuanna’s worldwide #1 hit “SOS”, and Beyonce’s Grammy winner “Halo”, among others. It’s a measure of their exceptional skill that they are all but invisible in this project while still bringing the same level of modern pop excellence to bear on the final results.

URL: https://lvcrft.net/

The project has come a long way since its 2019 surprise hit “Skeleton Sam”, named after LVCRFT’S emcee. Skeleton Sam is still steering the project’s live appearances as shown by their recent well-received outing at Midsummer Scream. “Scream for Halloween” saw its live debut at that performance, and it set the groundwork for an even wider rapturous reception to come. The bouncing pop sweep of the recording will make it an easy favorite for listeners this Halloween season and the smattering of “spooky” sound effects included during the song adds just the right touch of atmosphere.

It’s obvious that lyrical content isn’t a major focus, there’s no attempt to craft performed poetry present in this single, but it nonetheless taps into the Halloween spirit well. It likewise encourages audience participation without ever doing so in a heavy-handed fashion. The pre-chorus seamlessly transitions into the chorus and the vocals find the right stride for this material. The Remains join LVCRFT for the new single and their combined contributions make for an entertaining ride from the outset. Neither act, however, loses their individuality, and their combined talents make for an even greater whole.

The romping tempo of the track never runs away with itself. Including a brief, yet effective, saxophone solo during the song’s second half brings added spice without ever diminishing the overall glow of the track. LVCRFT wisely never overextends the performance but, instead, keeps it focused with zero self-indulgence. It’s a great cut for the Halloween season but has an appeal that extends far past October 31st. “Scream for Halloween” is year-round fun and physically engages listeners in such a way that you can’t resist its charms.

We may only hear new work from the LVCRFT project every so often, but Bogart, Warner, and Wade make it count when they do. “Scream for Halloween” is immense fun and percolates with life from its first second through the last. Outstanding production gives the single considerable oomph and achieves a clear balance between its various components. It holds up under repeated listens, as well, and takes hold of listeners with its expert invocation of the spooky season without any overwrought theatrics. “Scream for Halloween” surges from the first minute and never lets up. You don’t want it to and wish it could go on longer.

Colin Jordan