Out now via Razor-N-Tape.
Photo credit: Soho Grand
The long-standing creative partnership between Eli Escobar and Nomi Ruiz culminates in the release of their joint album, ‘Love Louder’, now available via Razor-N-Tape.
Sharing New York and Puerto Rican roots, the duo first collaborated on 2011’s ‘Desire’. Their partnership continued with Boy George’s ‘Somebody to Love Me’ cover and ‘Shadow Dancer’ through Nomi’s Jessica 6 project. ‘Love Louder’ represents their first official full-length album, showcasing their musical and personal growth.
The LP is deeply shaped by loss. During its creation, Escobar and Ruiz faced the passing of DJ BluJemz (James Dewitt), a close friend and key figure in Eli’s Night People party. Escobar also opened his Brooklyn venue Gabriela in 2023, named after Gabriela Mejia, a collaborator and foundational figure in NYC’s underground. “This was my way of bringing her along in the best way I could,” he commented.
The album balances celebration with lament. ‘Heathens’ delivers energetic house while ‘Full Fantasy’ embraces freestyle nostalgia. Yet it also faces mortality head-on. The piano-driven title track borrows Donny Hathaway’s sobering line: “Tomorrow may never come, tomorrow is only made for some,” while ‘Go Be Gone’ explores grief and release.
Listen to ‘Love Louder’ below and get your copy here.
