Vocal Coach Analysis: Laura Thorn – La PoupĂ©e Monte Le Son | Luxembourg 🇱🇺 | Grand Final | ESC 2025
When the lights dimmed and the opening chords of “La Poupée Montaigneuse” began to ripple through the arena, the audience knew they were about to witness something special.
Laura Thorne, representing Luxembourg, stepped onto the Eurovision stage with a quiet confidence that was instantly felt, not just through the visual spectacle, but through the nuances of her vocal delivery.
In the seconds that followed, her performance became a masterclass in control, nuance, and emotional storytelling. Below, we unpack the key elements that made Laura’s rendition unforgettable, from technical precision to the subtle artistry that keeps listeners hooked.
A Warm Chest Voice That Holds Its Own
From the opening line, Laura chooses a chest‑voice register that sits comfortably between D4 and A4. This range is often considered the sweet spot for female singers looking to convey intimacy while maintaining richness.
What stands out is the relaxed jaw she maintains throughout. By keeping her mandible loose, she avoids the typical tension that can constrict the vocal folds, allowing the sound to flow freely and stay resonant. This relaxed jaw also keeps the vowel shapes open, which in turn supports a fuller, more resonant chest timbre.
Her proximity to the microphone is another deliberate choice. By staying close, Laura ensures the microphone captures the nuances of her lower volume without sacrificing presence. This tactic is especially clever for a chest‑voice line that is intentionally subdued: the softer dynamics still manage to cut through the mix, preserving clarity while cultivating an intimate atmosphere.
Strategic Use of Thyroid Tilt for Color and Power
One of the most intriguing aspects of Laura’s vocal palette is the subtle thyroid tilt that appears as she ascends the melodic line. You can hear this shift as the timbre darkens slightly, giving a hint of “sung” quality without fully transitioning into head voice. The tilt serves two purposes:
- Support for Higher Chest‑Voice Notes: As Laura approaches the passaggio (the region where many singers naturally switch from chest to head voice), the thyroid tilt helps keep the vocal folds engaged, allowing her to sustain notes like B♠with strength and stability.
- Adding Weight without Strain: By slightly lowering the larynx, she increases the mass of the resonating column, which adds depth and weight to her upper chest voice. This is especially evident on the D5 note, where the sound remains solid rather than thin or airy.
Rather than a sudden “break,” Laura’s method reflects a smooth, controlled transition that showcases her technical fluency.
Managing Breath Control Amidst a Word‑Heavy Arrangement
“La Poupée Montaigneuse” does not rely on long, sustained notes; instead, it presents a dense tapestry of lyrics—consonant‑rich passages that demand precise breath management. Laura navigates this challenge with astounding composure. As the verses cascade, each consonant (especially the plosive “p” and fricative “f”) requires a burst of airflow. Laura’s technique reveals:
- Efficient Diaphragmatic Support: She pumps air in quick, controlled bursts, allowing her to articulate each word clearly while maintaining consistent vocal pressure.
- Strategic Phrasing: By subtly shaping phrases to create natural “breath points,” she avoids sounding gasped. Even when a line feels long, she manages to sustain it without the audible strain that often accompanies dense lyrical passages.
The result is a performance that feels effortlessly fluent, as if every word were a natural extension of her breath rather than a forced articulation.
Articulation and Language Nuances
Though the song is performed in French—a language that poses particular challenges for non‑native speakers—Laura’s diction is admirable. She navigates the nasal vowels, liaison, and the French “r” with a level of authenticity that lends credibility to her performance.
While a native speaker might spot minor nuances, Laura’s overall execution respects the phonetic rhythms of French, ensuring that the lyrical content remains intelligible to native listeners and still resonant for international audiences.
Dynamic Contrast and Vocal Coloration
Across the song’s structure, Laura demonstrates a keen sense of dynamic contrast. The verses remain breathily intimate, almost hushed, while the choruses swell into a broader, richer timbre. This variation does not rely on simply turning up the volume; rather, it comes from a combination of:
- Increased Tongue Root Tension: As the song climbs, she adds slight tension to the tongue root, which subtly thickens the vocal fold closure and produces a “trumpet‑shaped” sound that projects without harshness.
- Slight Laryngeal Lowering: By dropping the larynx a degree during climactic moments, she thickens the underlying resonance, giving the higher notes a warm, almost velvety quality.
The resulting soundscape is a vivid emotional journey—calm and reflective in the verses, then vivid and expansive during the choruses.
Stage Presence and Emotional Connection
Beyond the purely technical aspects, Laura’s performance is defined by her emotive conveyance. Even when the vocal demands become taxing—evident in brief moments of fatigue as she pushes for volume—Laura’s poise remains intact.
She avoids any sign of strain or forced power, choosing instead to let the natural timbre of her voice shine through. This decision not only protects her vocal health but also allows the audience to focus on the story she is telling.
Her eyes, body language, and subtle gestures complement the vocal narrative. By maintaining a relaxed jaw and an open posture, she reinforces the intimacy and sincerity of her delivery, inviting viewers into a personal space despite the grand scale of the Eurovision stage.
Training Reflected in the Performance
Laura’s vocal technique demonstrates years of disciplined training:
- Consistent Vocal Fold Closure: Even at the top of her range, the folds remain efficiently sealed, preventing breathiness and maintaining tonal clarity.
- Balanced Resonance: She balances forward placement (through tongue root tension) with a subtle lowering of the larynx, ensuring that her chest voice remains both resonant and controlled.
- Avoidance of Jaw Tension: Her jaw stays relaxed throughout, a hallmark of singers who have worked on eliminating “mask” tension—commonly a source of vocal fatigue.
These hallmarks of advanced training not only serve the artistic goals of the song but also protect her voice during the grueling rehearsal schedule that Eurovision demands.
The Bigger Picture: Eurovision as a Platform
Eurovision is more than just a contest; it is an international showcase where artists present their musical identities to millions. Laura’s rendition of “La Poupée Montaigneuse” succeeds as a personal introduction to her artistry.
By choosing a vocal approach that blends technical clarity with emotional honesty, she crafts a memorable imprint that invites listeners to explore her catalog beyond the stage.
The performance also illustrates how a well‑trained voice can adapt to a diverse set of demands—linguistic, technical, and theatrical—making it a model for aspiring singers who aim to succeed on large‑scale platforms.
Takeaways for Vocalists
If you’re a vocalist looking to emulate Laura’s strengths, consider incorporating these practical strategies into your own routine:
- Jaw Relaxation Exercises: Regularly practice gentle mandibular release to prevent tension from creeping into your sound.
- Thyroid Tilt Awareness: Experiment with subtle laryngeal lowering on higher chest‑voice notes to maintain richness without flipping into head voice.
- Tongue Root Engagement: Use slight tongue root tension to add weight to your sound, especially when you need to project over a full band or orchestra.
- Breath Efficiency for Dense Lyrics: Break down lyrical phrases into natural breath points, allowing quick, controlled inhalations that sustain articulation.
- Microphone Proximity: When singing quietly, stay close to the mic to capture the nuances of your soft dynamics without losing presence.
Final Thoughts
Laura Thorne’s Eurovision showcase stands out not merely for its melodic charm but for the sophisticated vocal technique underpinning every note. From a warm, relaxed chest voice to strategic use of thyroid tilt and tongue tension, every facet of her singing points to a deep understanding of her instrument.
Coupled with emotive stagecraft and a respectful handling of the French language, Laura delivers a performance that feels both polished and heartfelt.
In the sea of Eurovision entries, her moment shines as a reminder that technical mastery and genuine emotion are not mutually exclusive—when they converge, they create an unforgettable listening experience. Whether you’re an aspiring singer, a vocal coach, or a music enthusiast, Laura’s performance offers a wealth of insight into how a voice can be both technically sound and beautifully human.
Stay tuned for more analyses of standout vocal performances, and keep listening to the voices that bring stories to life.
