SPELLLING: The Turning Wheel | 4ZZZ Brisbane 102.1FM

- Spellling only dropped on to my radar recently, but I feel as if I’ve always known her music. A combination of a multitude of art-pop influences of the last fifty years but somehow still uniquely herself, the Californian artist brings the music of witches, with a social message, to her latest record The Turning Wheel. Spellling’s exploration of the genre feels almost limitless as she tackles a plethora of sounds, all while never straying from her magical essence.

First single Little Deer was my introduction to Spellling and it was almost love at first sight. I must admit it takes a minute to adjust to her vocals, not due to quality, but rather the uniqueness of her higher pitch. The track begins with a ninety-second intro that grows upon itself by consistently adding more instruments. Reaching its peak, Spellling is backed by a battery of trumpets as she regales the analogy of a baby deer to represent her beliefs on reincarnation and the circle of life. Establishing the album’s fairytale like mood, Little Deer is an incredible work of art that demands many relistens.

A wonderful aspect of The Turning Wheel is the repeated focus on different instruments within individual tracks. Always, while still featuring trumpets, is a song of turmoil that is heightened through its usage of sad, whispery harps and violins, backing Spellling’s forlorn vocals. A call for a lover to stay, Spellling sounds almost defeated on the track as she pleads and pleads. In keeping with her retro influences, the drums sound quite distant, as if they were recorded in a spacious area or using an older drum machine.

It is very easy to make Kate Bush comparisons on title track Turning Wheel especially with the use of riveting piano chords and backing-crowd vocals. Spellling’s vocals are in full force with different pitches applied upon the top of each other. The track ends abruptly but still gorgeously with Sgt-Pepper-esque trumpet refrains. I’m not quite sure of its meaning, but Turning Wheel could very much be interpreted as an anti-war song, as well as the first socially-conscious song of the record, with its calls to lay down arms.

Spellling continues to show an engaging variety within her own witchy storytelling with tracks such as Emperor with an Egg, in which her mystical, singing tones take a hold as she recalls a seemingly non-sensical fantasy story involving an emperor who is a bird but also a king. The much acclaimed single Boys at School is the seven-minute ballad of the record, describing high-school angst and the pain of not fitting in. Legacy is about living up to self-expectations and is the most forward thinking electronic piece here, smartly backed with saxophones.

Revolution seems to be inspired by the goings-on of the world at large, while still focusing on Spellling herself, as she prays over birthday candles, wishing the revolutionary flame in her heart into an undying bonfire. The orchestra is as strong as ever with a nice focus on the bass during the quieter sections of the track. Finishing with chanting protestors over a whirling mishmash of pianos and trumpets feels only in-step with the rest of the album.

The Turning Wheel should not be missed by fans of nearly any artist in the art-pop genre. While Spellling has a lot of clear influences, she knows how to make a defining, unique statement in just about every aspect of the music she makes. Socially-conscious witchcraft was not a place I was looking for such a strong record, but hey, I think Spellling has the power to make just about anything work.

- James Chadwick.
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