The long-awaited debut album from Hemlocke Springs has finally arrived, and it is one for the books.
Gaining popularity on TikTok through her singles like “girlfriend,” this project has been a few years in the making.
Popular artists such as Doechii and Chappell Roan (who she opened for on tour) have expressed that they are fans of Springs, and she has opened for other artists such as Doja Cat and Conan Gray.
Her EP “going…going…GONE!” featured many songs that reached the ears of listeners of all genres. Her style is that of an 80s synth bedroom pop mixture that works in her favor.
Springs wrote and produced the album herself, dipping her toes into the music industry. Although she explains she doesn’t feel 100% confident in her art, she knows her devoted fan base, lovingly named Lockets, took the concept album with hungry hands.
The album opens with fantasy vibes in the song “the red apple”. Lyrically, it stands out as an opening track and gives a good idea of what the rest of the album will look like.
Following that is “the beginning of the end”, a song that speaks of her insecurities and desires. It is well arranged, with different sounds blending into one cohesive song. Granted that she wrote everything, one can really begin to understand the theme and vision of the album.
“Head, shoulders, knees, and ankles” has great storytelling of a girl in love not receiving the same feelings back from a potential partner. It is an interesting sound, not something you would really expect to work. Somehow, she makes it work. It almost reminded me of early-era Marina and the Diamonds. It may be an acquired taste, but I found it satisfying and fun to listen to.
My personal favorite of the album is “w-w-w-w-w”. I feel this song truly embodies the vision she is trying to achieve in her music. It’s a dance pop ballad discussing aspects of domestic life- so starkly different, yet it flows perfectly in this song. It quickly became a favorite of mine upon first listen.
Another key sound of this album is the beat drops. “Sever the blight” is an example of this, with the drop coming in and completely changing the dynamic of the song. It fits into the princess pop world Springs is creating.
The “sense (is) prelude” is an instrumental piece that features sounds like that of a playground, with children laughing in the background. It has a nostalgic sound to it that I thoroughly enjoyed. It also transitions to the song “sense (is)” smoothly, something I am always a fan of.
“Be the girl!” was a great closure for the album. It speaks on Springs’ experience reinventing herself to fit what the world wanted of her. It asks her to say goodbye to her previous era of life and embark on a new journey, one that holds many insecurities and struggles of its own. It has a relatable sting to it, reconciling with one’s past and future alike.
Overall, for a debut album, Hemlocke Springs definitely knocked it out of the park. It is an album I will give another listen to, and maybe another after that. Her style is so pronounced yet experimental. At the same time, it’s so sure of itself that you can feel the confidence oozing from it.
Although Springs has stated she is unsure of this album, I hope she understands the impact it has on listeners who will continue to enjoy it for years to come.
