In an age of pervasive, digitally produced media, nothing inspires more joy than to hear an expansive, sonically spiritual sound coming directly from the soul. With a new single, Los Angeles-based dream-pop duo SPELLES solidifies their name within that category of music. The band, comprised of Kathryn Baar and Luc Laurent, wrote and produced "Holy Hells" in collaboration with Andy D. Park (Deftones) and Greg Calbi/Steve Fallone (David Bowie).
SPELLES first appeared on the scene in 2014 when its unreleased song, "Bird in a Cage," aired on the TV show “Pretty Little Liars.” Its discography since then has spanned across several other TV shows, along with features on tracks by big-name artists and its own selection of singles and EPs.
"Holy Hells" is an empowering and hymnal journey through personal transformation and the inner battles that haunt us all. The influences of indie, pop and gospel all shine through and take shape in a new, indescribable way. "Holy Hells" is an incredible combination of everything that makes SPELLES great, with its devious undertones and brilliant musical techniques making it a piece of both rich depth and eerie ambiance.
The band's new single is backed up by a history of other brilliant songs, all with their own depth and meaning to create a dynamic story arc of a catalog. The overall style of the songs ranges from gritty shandies like "Bird in a Cage" to gospel-influenced tracks like "Light Me on Fire" to slower, sultry songs like "Wildfire."
The use of lyrical imagery can be seen throughout the entire album. The rhyme scheme in "Dead in the Water" is invigorating and inspires curiosity in the listener. The aesthetic of "Ghost Ship" is one of the most complex in the discography, with the pairing of ominous instrumentals and stunning lyrics creating a truly remarkable image.
One of the standouts is "Wildfire," which contains some of the most notable imagery. The simple melody and guitar motif help conjure a landscape of despair and destruction, emblematic of a rich painting on a barren wall.
The use of varied percussion is another example of the group's musical knowledge, with clapping to lend a soul sound, along with distorted instruments to lend a grunge angle. The pop influence appears on "Machete," which utilizes heavy bass drums along with some piercing harmonies that lend an unusual edge to the otherwise pop-sounding track. To top it all off, the vocal control demonstrated on the album is an unfailingly incredible feat.
SPELLES is an avant-garde force that happens to be on the rise at a time when the music industry needs its sound. Its music contains hints of Hozier and Amy Winehouse, along with the confirmed influence of Radiohead, Nina Simone and Portishead. The album's layers of spirituality and unspoken feminine power are intoxicating to the last, soulful drop.
