Some musicians slowly grow into greatness, producing solid work, and suddenly arrive at a classic. Others do this all at once, in the space between records. With Turning Wheel, SPELLLING falls very strongly into the latter camp.
The writing style and compositions are reminiscent of centuries-old folk songs and lullabies, further lending to the notion of Spellling singing as some omniscient being.
Such warmth and whimsicality in our musicians is rare these days. It’s also rare that an album is as full of charm and magic as The Turning Wheel.
Cosmic ballads infused with hope for a better tomorrow. If the reality of the daily grind is starting to wear a little thin then I can’t think of a better piece of artful escapism to immerse yourself in than The Turning Wheel.
On the whole this is a significant artistic leap, a progressive album of dazzling stylistic pluralities that demands attention.
Most off-kilter electronic acts only sink deeper into the synthetic depths in search of new sounds to debase, but SPElLLING’s third album is more of a grand statement of organic authenticity.
Slap as many abstract adjectives and kitschy references you want on it, you’re not going to pin The Turning Wheel down. Its ineffability can be its greatest strength.
The myth-skewing, Oakland-based artist is a chameleonic pop singer on her third album. Whimsical and urgent, these are fairy tales meant to wake us up.
The Turning Wheel, sees her taking her affinity for campy theatrics and spacey sci-fi production seen on her previous two albums to another height, thus creating her most maximalist and lavish project yet.
The Turning Wheel has several standouts along with a handful of other tracks that don't leave as much of an impression. However, this is undeniably her best-produced work yet, and clearly demonstrates her impressive growth as an artist.
Her third LP The Turning Wheel has the feel of a big reveal. Her voice, as dramatic and flamboyant as a young Kate Bush, now pirouettes amid a backdrop of warm brass and orchestral funk supplied by an extended cast of players.
There seems to be a wall between artist and audience, something stopping listeners from being fully immersed in the world-building that no doubt took many painstaking hours to create.
edit: do you guys like weezer
2020s Kate Bush
With a firm grasp on what makes the music of art-pop legends such as Kate Bush and Björk so gorgeous, Spellling eloquently cries out every note on ‘The Turning Wheel’ with the force of a thunderstorm yet simultaneously with the elegance and opulence of a diamond. Three albums in, Spellling has reached a point of pure brilliance that many artists, who are twenty albums deep, wish they could have just a mere smidgen of. With every ... read more
1. Little Deer (Score: 10)
Great intro atmosphere. Feels like a story book. Love the strings. Feels like an enchanted forest. Drums are great. Love the chimes. Very floaty. Whimsical. I love the lyrics. Tons of range. Love the otherworldly lyrics. Insanely immersive. Horns are amazing. Low vocals remind me of the woman on swans. This is physically doing some thing to me.
2. Always (Score: 10)
Starts with Vocals. Really pretty. Singing is so insanely good. Lyrics and feeling are similar to ... read more
litter deer might be the best opening track ever !
this is such a fun project, the production on this goes INSANE and the lyrics are soooo good and also funny at some moments. her vocals are unique and really interesting
my favorite tracks are little deer and awaken ! soty material
A once in a lifetime world-building and beautiful album that could've used a bit more lyrical cohesion.
Favorite - Sweet Talk
Least Favorite - Awaken
1 | Little Deer 5:39 | 93 |
2 | Always 5:14 | 89 |
3 | Turning Wheel 3:33 | 89 |
4 | The Future 3:27 | 88 |
5 | Awaken 4:31 | 87 |
6 | Emperor with an Egg 3:09 | 87 |
7 | Boys at School 7:28 | 95 |
8 | Legacy 3:51 | 88 |
9 | Queen of Wands 5:21 | 87 |
10 | Magic Act 5:40 | 88 |
11 | Revolution 5:59 | 91 |
12 | Sweet Talk 3:33 | 86 |
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