9
Friends, this review was born from the effort to include more black queer artists in my reviews. Research and recommendations time after time recommended the name hemlocke springs, so here we go! Spoiler alert: she does NOT disappoint. Let’s dive into the colorful, whimsical world of hemlocke springs!
This album begins with a helluva first impression. The first song, the red apple, is laden with deep Biblical references, with hemlocke calling out to “El Shaddai” over mystical sounding cellos and reverb heavy drums. Note: “El Shaddai” is the Hebrew term in the Bible for “God Almighty,” one of the names for YAHWEH. I think this inclusion is cool, all lyrics considered.
Song two, the beginning of the end, features a rather complicated string arrangement, which is slightly distorted. This soon gives way to a nice little pop drum pattern. Maybe it was a legato played guitar, not a string arrangement? Creative either way!
The third song, head, shoulders, knees and ankles, is hot!! It has an 80s vibe, like “Video killed the Radio Star”. With this staccato vocal cadence, I am blown away. And then the piano comes in. I’m dead. I find myself asking, “What do these lyrics mean?” I know a great story is being told here. This plucked string section is holding me like a baby.
Then the album drives me to w-w-w-w-w. This has a long musical intro, where I hear what sounds like raindrops being arpeggiated. Then the reverb heavy drum comes beating in. The little quick vocal vibrato really is a gem here. I think here, “It’s a privilege to hear this album” and “Is this song about a lavender marriage?” I’m loving the modulated synthesizer sounds. The vocal tone of this song is akin to Madonna of the 90s/80s with the processing effects.
Okay, moses. The Biblical imagery of pillars of salt, parting the sea, being the “chosen” and “Pierce my two hands” strike me in the heart. So does the chorus effect vocal. And the heartbeat drum machine. And the En Vogue overall feel. That 90s jazz dance vibe.
sever the blight features heavy distorted vocals with an orchestral arrangement in the back. This song begins very melodic at first then turns very rhythmic, like an 80s aerobic dance song. The synth and quick drum pattern adds to this feel. The reverb on the 80s drum kit sounds pulled straight from Footloose.
sense is (prelude) is a conglomeration of interesting sounds. I hear bells (?), a children’s playground, deep dark drums, cellos, talking, horses galloping, soldiers marching, whispering, violins, a tv, and an arpeggiated synth.
sense(is) is very synth heavy. These are not easy lyrics. This poetry quenches my thirst. These lyrics don’t even rhyme. It reminds me of the Twenty-One Pilots Song “Stressed Out” that goes “I wish I didn’t have to rhyme every time I sang.” Case and point. You don’t. This song is a standout on the album. These vocals are on point, too. The changes in timbre move me like the ocean. Simply put, damn.
set me free has marimba!! At first I was like, “This song is a little sexual!” Um, it’s wholly sexual. And I like the addition of the little bubble sounds; very ocean like. She mentions the word, “boy” and for a second I think I’ve made a mistake here, but bisexuality exists in the queer spectrum, so I relax and keep moving.
be the girl is stunning, even if I hate it when songwriters rhyme December with Remember. This is a cop-out cliche move. I love the varied rhythms of this song. Is this a queer anthem? If not, it should be? And I will end smugly here.
Overall, this album is a stunner. I haven’t felt this way after listening to an album in YEARS. I give this gem a solid 9. I LOVE this piece of work. It is unique, poetic, and its twists and turns have me teetering on the sea like a little girl. Hemlocke springs is a genius. I cannot put this any other way.
Standout Songs
- head, shoulder, knees and ankles
- sense (is)
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