With echoes of synth-pop luminaries like Chromatics or Au Revoir Simone, ‘Chemistry’ is crisp of production and dreamy by design; a bewitching concoction of minimal, syncopated percussion and ethereal synthesisers.
Inspired by the shadowy soundscapes cast across David Lynch’s works, the latest release by the duo comprising Teresa Woischiski & John Alexander Ericson would feel right at home on the scores of surreal masterpieces like Twin Peaks or Mulholland Drive.
Made in the night-time, for the night-time, ‘Chemistry’ was written as the band found themselves traversing across Europe after-hours in the ghostly grip of midwinter. Winding their way through darkened streets and desolate suburbs, the eerie world beyond the window pane and its mysterious spectres began to drift into a new song; words and music falling into place like breath condensing on cool glass.
“The song was written in January this year on a foggy late night drive from Vienna to Prague.” reflects vocalist Teresa Woischiski. “We didn't meet many cars and it was a very dense fog so it felt a bit like driving through outer space.”
Capturing the essence and atmosphere and of that surreal journey, ‘Chemistry’ was recorded within days of the band’s arrival to Prague, from the small hotel room in which they were staying.
Intimate, yet enigmatic, ‘Chemistry’ feels like a love song from the heart of loneliness. Lyrics materialise through the darkness like preoccupied thoughts: “It’s the way you touch my heart, everything becomes clearer in the dark”; Teresa’s dreamy, detached vocals eventually disappearing into an ether of electronics with the repeated refrain: “there’s nothing left out there, that makes me scared, nothing”.
The Ghost of Helags are singer-songwriter and producer duo Teresa Woischiski and John Alexander Ericson. Hailing from Sweden and now located in Berlin, the pairing combine the dream pop sounds of their Scandinavian roots with the electronic nuances inspired by their newfound home. ‘Chemistry’ follows on from New Music Friday-playlisted debut single ‘I Carry Your Heart’ and heavenly follow-ups ‘Autobahn Lullaby’ (a tribute to their Berlin home) and 2019’s ‘The Santa Rosa Song’.
Artistic and entrancing on the live stage, The Ghost Of Helags’ innovative use of dance and body language to communicate with their audiences has already seen them make their mark on the Berlin scene and across Europe.
‘CHEMISTRY’ - BY THE GHOST OF HELAGS - IS OUT NOW
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