The carefully crafted realms of She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She, Chelsea Wolfe’s newest offering, manifest notions of nostalgia entwined with the ethereal. Combining electronic beats of the 1990s and early ‘00s, fuzz laden doom inspired guitars, and intimate vocals, Wolfe produces a distinctive sound that pulls in multiple directions yet is highly successful in its immersive world-building.
Whispers In The Echo Chamber introduces the album with grounding doom-esque guitars, electronic beats, and haunting synth textures. From the beginning, the construction of enveloping atmospheres is clearly central to Wolfe’scaptivating music. An interesting characteristic about She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She is how personal it feels. Even with the prominent beats, airy synths and thundering rhythms, the instrumental parts feel intimate rather than vast as might be expected. Wolfe’s vocal delivery incorporates both the ethereal and the grounded. Whispers and softly sung vocal lines reflect the introspective themes of the album, the exploration of the self and the process of rebirth. Whispers In The Echo Chamber brings a ghostly mood with hints of dissonance included throughout. The pace and velocity of the track gradually builds inciting a sense of anticipation, before it suddenly ends with a whisper.
The mood shifts somewhat with House Of Self-Undoing. The increased pace and energy of this song in comparison to the previous accentuates the contrast. Percussion carries a more forceful weight alongside guitars that drive the rhythms. Multiple instrumental layers see a sense of urgency while Wolfe’s vocals follow a calmer, elongated melody. The inclusion of an analogue-style synth enhances the almost vintage feel to the music in combination with the beats. The very abrupt transition into a synth-led section injects an almost horror film / sci-fi-like interlude. This jarring breakcould be seen as chaos, but it seems to be more of a sudden awakening—representing Wolfe’s journey in becoming sober. The following Everything Turns Blue is sung in lower register, with an almost sultry tone. Synths and strings fill the higher tones with an airy soundscape conveying this melancholy mood.
Adding a jazzy twist to the track list, Tunnel Lights opens with cut-off piano chords—a hint of discordance brought with it. Multi-textural, and highly rhythmic, Tunnel Lights concludes with a powerful build-up; the urgency, the anticipation is most captivating before quickly fading away. Entering into the in-between, The Liminal’s delicate piano melodies, soft vocals, gothic organ backing, and electronics conjures celestial imagery. Bursting into life with guitars and powerful vocals, the dreamlike space then begins to dissipate. Abrasive electronics and an industrial sound can be found in Eyes Like Nightshade. This dark venture into metallic and harsh textures is an intriguing and effective deviation from the styles of the previous tracks. Leading into Salt, minimalist instrumental parts place the focus onto Wolfe’s vocals. The industrial edge from Eyes Like Nightshade continues through, though more subtle, and with the addition of brass rises amongst the mix.
Unseen World’s mesmerising soundscape contains a dark aspect. Invasive low synths, eerie minor patterns and spooky effects explore a shadowy plain. And yet, the chord progressions are highly inviting. Place In The Sun returns to the intimate. Softly sung lyrics with a piano accompaniment and backing orchestral strings makes for a stunning and minimalist section. Electronics arrive with a rhythmic pattern that provides a shift in energy and pace. Gently segueing between the styles of these two sections, Place In The Sun is deeply enchanting. Dynamic and enticing, Dusk concludes She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She. The strong beat isn’t overpowering but creates a grounding and comforting constant for the chord progressions and melodies interwoven above. The pace is serene; it’s the dusk before the dawn, the end of the storm that has come before leaving behind a calmness and acceptance.
The process of listening to She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She is one of waves rising and falling between places of reality and those of dreams. Concepts of existing rather than living are aptly revealed across the music through sudden jolts from the dream worlds into a state of being awakened. She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She feels both raw and open while also entwined in metaphor. Wolfe’s soundscapes and vocal performances not only offer a glimpse into her introspective journey but prepares us for our own.
For fans of: Frayle, Esben And The Witch, Forlorn
Words by Holly Royle
‘She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She’ by Chelsea Wolfe is released on 9th February on Loma Vista Recordings.
