The London-based visual artist and vocalist/producer shares two new experimental tracks
Helica is no stranger to experimentation. In the past few months, he’s launched a new EP and various singles. A variety of influences reappear throughout his genre-defying discography: ranging from harsher electronic noise to ambient and post-punk. His latest release Hollow Pine/Pulsar deviates from recent EP Pathogen and finds the London-based artist increasingly using distinct vocals to craft his unique sound.
The two tracks, accumulating at just under six minutes long, act to effortlessly pack an emotional punch into the concise time span. “Hollow Pine,” with its faster tempo, initially sets the pace. Almost jarring, the track demands attention, time, and thought. Each line overlaps ambiguous imagery which flits between micro and macroscopic detail — references to “stalactites,” “fingernails” and “fever” particularly resounding. This results in an eerie ambience, which is emphasized by Helica’s production and the echo of layered vocals. Several of the final lines summarise the culmination of its apprehensive atmosphere: “The beast in the night,” “I close my eyes, I disappear.”
“Pulsar” brings a sense of contingency to the release, serving as an epilogue to Pathogen. With scattered discourse taken from his last release (“Pathogen in the wind”) and graphic imagery reflecting on the human body (“Under my rib cage and you’ll see,” “Cancer in my eyes and I’m failing to see”) Helica utilizes the track to masterfully craft an unsettling climate. The slow drum pattern and ominous synths contribute to this apocalyptic notion which overwhelms the listener. There’s a sense of distant longing throughout, “500 steps from dependency,” and the “pulsar”, celestial symbolism adds to this surrealism. Extending his streak of intricate releases, both tracks hone in on the development of Helica’s hypnotic vocals and consistent artistic innovation. Stream his latest project below.