Hælos
Recommended
London group Haelos begin their debut album, Full Circle, with a sample of British philosopher Alan Watts speaking about “the spectrum of love” over a poignant ambient piece. They let you know instantly that you may need a hanky or two as you progress through their collection of emotionally fraught, dancing-while-choked-up-on-remorse tunes. The prevailing mood is despondent, but buoyed by rhythms—including a sample or blatant facsimile of James Brown/Clyde Stubblefield’s “Funky Drummer”—that insist you bounce out of the doldrums, despite your setbacks. Lotti Benardout’s sullenly pretty voice dominates the songs, which will appeal to fans of Portishead, Massive Attack, and Lamb. With Full Circle, the inevitable triphop revival has yet another rallying point. Let’s pout, but funkily.
by Dave Segal