hemlocke springs – the apple tree under the sea
Beyond its musical execution, the apple tree under the sea is an immense literary accomplishment, and a nourishing meal for this cold and dark season
hemlocke springs' first full-length album, the apple tree under the sea, is a spectacular debut, in which each track is a deep cut bearing springs' cerebral thumbprint. Known for her ethereal, bedroom pop style, springs branches further into experimental sounds on this project. Her distinctive vocals, synths, harpsichords, hooves on cobblestones, and energetic drums come together on banger after banger; a sonic time traveller, she weaves in threads from medieval music, 80s pop, R'n'B, and experimental sounds. The album evokes a vast array of emotional responses; I want to do jazzercise, or maybe kill a man.
The album's first six tracks loosely chronicle the intricate process of severing yourself from an upbringing at odds with who you are. The concept album opens with the titular apple, a short prologue grown out of springs' religious upbringing. Culminating with sever the blight, an already popular single, the album's first act hits a sweet spot between goth and pop. The project takes a hopeful turn at the midpoint with sense is (prelude). After biting into the aforementioned apple, springs embarks on a musical bildungsroman. The back half of the album delves into the complex, grief-laden process of awakening to life's uncertainties – and its possibilities.
The emotional thesis statement of the album is held in its final track, be the girl! The song's upbeat tempo and title overlay a heartfelt core. As a musician, springs' prowess is on full display here, though the technicality of the composition and production in no way occlude the song's raw, gut punch quality. In her writing about the song, springs mentions a kind of 'euphoria' associated with releasing yourself from the person you expected to become. I don't know if she meant to write a trans masc anthem, but here we are. It's on repeat in my headphones already; be the girl! really speaks to me, and I think the album will resonate for many. Who among us hasn't set themselves adrift in an act of self-preservation?
hemlocke springs is a master of self-mythology. Beyond its musical execution, the apple tree under the sea is an immense literary accomplishment. The poetry of it is woven into the musicality; the longer I listen, the more deeply I fall into it. The album is delicious; it's a nourishing meal for this cold and dark season.
Listen to: the beginning of the end, sense (is), be the girl!