Heliotropes make their music in a Brooklyn studio, but the all-female band’s musicians originally hail from all over the nation. It’s no wonder then, that their music is a collaboration of many influences over time and geography. They’ve just released their first album, A Constant Sea on Manimal Vinyl, and offer a combination of classic grunge mixed with 90’s alternative, with just a dash of retro doo-wop thrown in for good measure. Jessica Numsuwankijkul and Amber Myers provide sultry and sexy vocals that blend effortlessly with Numsuwankijkul’s diverse guitar styling. Drummer Cici Harrison is able to switch from dreamy to intensely rocking without skipping a beat, while Nyu Abudu provides flawless support on bass. It’s no wonder that Heliotropes have garnered attention through their recent SXSW appearance this year. The band has synthesized the old and new in an ultimately individualized sound.
“Everyone Else” kicks off the album with a mellow, guitar and vocals-driven track. The harmonies are suggestive of classic alternative bands like The Cranberries or even Aimee Mann’s tones. The song is both heartbreakingly beautiful and refreshingly minimal in its approach. “Moonlite” and “The Dove” take a darker and grungier turn, the vocals become foreboding but seductive, while the guitar slams on the pedal and chugs through the track. But there is also “Christine,” a retro slow-dance song, romantically swaying through the track with classic guitar lines and keys. The album finishes with “Unadorned,” which lives up to its name, a simple guitar and vocals song that showcases Heliotropes’ dynamic and creative ability with harmonies, on top of immaculate acoustic picking and the occasional steel guitar.
Although A Constant Sea has obvious past and present influences, there is no point in the album where the sound feels canned or overdone. Heliotropes breathe new life into a somewhat faded alternative grunge scene, and remind the listener of how satisfying a good rock track can feel. A Constant Sea shows immense promise for Heliotropes’ future releases.
