Review: The Twinkling Melancholia Of Lala Lala & Baths’ ‘€ € € €^^%%!!!!!heaven!!!!!!’
Lala Lala & Baths | € € € €^^%%!!!!!heaven!!!!!! (collab single) | Hardly Art
Release Date: 24 July, 2020
A collaboration between two artists is always an exciting prospect as those we admire come together to create something that will, undoubtedly, be a memorable experience; two creatives combining their skills, personal specialities and creative approaches to new works is destined to produce something memorable.
This is absolutely the case in a brand new collaboration between songstress Lillie West, known for fronting the indie-rock, post-punk project Lala Lala; and Will Wiesenfeld, the always lovingly eclectic and multifaceted producer and electronic artist known professionally under his moniker Baths, along with his more ambient-leaning project under the pseudonym Geotic.
With their new single ‘€ € € €^^%%!!!!!heaven!!!!!!’ as their first collaboration, the artists have also created flexi discs of the single now available for purchase, which, over the first month of sales 100% of the artists’ and labels’ share will be donated to between these two organizations as described below:
Black Aids Institute, described as “the only premier uniquely and unapologetically Black think and do tank in America powered by two decades of work to end the Black HIV epidemic and led by people who represent the issues we serve,” along with Restore Justice Illinois, which “advocates for fairness, humanity, and compassion throughout the Illinois criminal justice system, with a primary focus on those affected by extreme sentences imposed on our youth.”
‘€ € € €^^%%!!!!!heaven!!!!!!‘ opens with a tranquil sparkling harmony; the lively, spirited piano sings luminous in its tenderly melodic ebb and flow as it’s accompanied by a kind, gently plucked guitar – the timbre of each intimately woven within the other, sculpting an affectionately balanced atmosphere with a dreamlike melancholia. As the delicate harmonies progress, a sympathetic, slow yet driven beat enters with West’s velveteen vocals; the tone of her voice so beautifully reflective and compassionate it tugs on one’s heartstrings.
As the track progresses the pluck of a steady bass line allows for a fluid segue into twinkling electronics as Wiesenfeld’s signature silken vocals enter, flowing effortlessly in harmony with West’s vocals and guitar. The calm, idyllic feel of the track is beautifully composed, with both musician’s auditory personalities shining through and complementing one another almost perfectly.
For more information follow Lala Lala & Baths on Facebook
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Feature Image: Baths by Mario Luna & (Lillie West) Lala Lala by Matthew James Wilson
