'Chemistry' Just out from German based Swedes The Ghost of Helags
The Ghost of Helags are singer-songwriter and producer duo Teresa Woischiski and John Alexander Ericson. Hailing from Sweden and now located in Berlin, the pair combine the dream pop sounds of their Scandinavian roots with the electronic nuances inspired by their newfound home. ‘Chemistry’ follows on from New Music Friday-playlisted debut single ‘I Carry Your Heart.
Artistic and entrancing on the live stage, The Ghost Of Helags’ innovative use of dance and body language to communicate with their audiences has already seen them make their mark on the Berlin scene and across Europe.
Just out, their new single Chemistry is their first release of 2020, after the excellent 2019 tracks Autobahn lullaby, a beautiful haunting piano piece and the excellent, and equally atmospheric Santa Rosa Song.
Whereas the 2019 releases were perhaps moodier and more evocative, Chemistry is a more vibrant and crisp production but still dreamy by design; a bewitching mix of minimal, syncopated percussion and ethereal synthesisers. Inspired by the shadowy soundscapes cast across David Lynch’s works, the latest release by the duo comprising Teresa Woischiski & John Alexander Ericson would feel right at home on the scores of surreal masterpieces like Twin Peaks or Mulholland Drive.
Made in the night-time, for the night-time, ‘Chemistry’ was written as the band found themselves traversing across Europe after-hours in the ghostly grip of midwinter. Winding their way through darkened streets and desolate suburbs, the eerie world beyond the windowpane and its mysterious spectres began to drift into a new song; words and music falling into place like breath condensing on cool glass.
“The song was written in January this year on a foggy late-night drive from Vienna to Prague.” reflects vocalist Teresa Woischiski. “We didn't meet many cars and it was a very dense fog, so it felt a bit like driving through outer space.”
Capturing the essence and atmosphere and of that surreal journey, ‘Chemistry’ was recorded within days of the band’s arrival to Prague, from the small hotel room in which they were staying.
An intimate, yet enigmatic song, Chemistry feels like a love song from the heart of loneliness. Lyrics materialise through the darkness like preoccupied thoughts: “It’s the way you touch my heart, everything becomes clearer in the dark”; Teresa’s dreamy, detached vocals eventually disappearing into an ether of electronics with the repeated refrain: “there’s nothing left out there, that makes me scared, nothing”.
If you have not come across The Ghost of Helags before, pause for a moment and have a listen. This really is excellent dreamy atmospheric synth music. A real treat and this latest release is well worth your time, and awarded a score of 9.
