Photo by Dave Ma
London trio HÆLOS have grabbed a lot of attention pretty quickly. Their slick brand of dusky electronica has seen then become favourites of BBC DJs Annie Mac and Zane Lowe, and they’ve been signed up to Matador Records at top speed. Of course, if you’re going to get that kind of love there’s got to be a good reason for it, and HÆLOS are seeking to back up the words written about them with the release of their new EP, Earth Not Above, including the track Cloud Nine.
Cloud Nine starts off with a harsh, industrial stomp, combined with vocals with vague echoes of a heavier, darker version of SHURA’s tense whisper-pop. Cloud Nine is a complex beast musically, with different elements constantly swirling in and out of the murky mix. PORTISHEAD are constantly cited as one of HÆLOS’ main influences, and that is certainly audible on the song. It’s a piece of drawn, austere 3AM music, simultaneously warm and very, very cold. HÆLOS’ Earth Not Above EP is out now.
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