EP Review: Charlotte Spiral - 'New Light'
Following from the duo’s debut EP from last year, Ideal Life, Charlotte Spiral brings forth New Light. Charlotte Spiral is the combination of Amy Spencer and Avi Barath. Their previous release was alive with big, vibey instrumentation. New Light goes in a different direction.
The EP opens with Out of Here which starts cold and intimate. A piano, a faint flute, a vocal and an occasional bump of percussion. The piano line is equal parts haunting and playful, it’ll be in your head for months. Meanwhile the vocal is in both your ears, close to you. You hear and process the meaning of every word while the track slowly builds. It’s a glorious way to start a release.
New Light starts with more bounce. A slightly carnival piano part draws us in as the vocal dances above. The piano drops out and the vocal enchants you, accompanied by only a faint whir. The track builds and the melodies become even more mesmerising.
Things You Lost starts with more of a sing song quality to its vocal melodies. Keys that bend ever so slightly accompany softly as the track builds. Blooming synths and lush backing vocals. Percussion and deep bass join the mix, a stark contrast to the track's sparse beginnings. Things You Lost is followed by Fantaisie On A Theme From Out Of Here. This, mainly piano, arrangement closes out the EP by reworking melodies from the first track and bringing us full circle.
New Light comes out Friday the 9th of April and is highly recommended for those that want a chilled, introspective little EP to disappear into. It’s a very vocal lead release with lyrics you can really mull over and absorb, all accentuated by beautiful, hanging arrangements.
Words by Nathan Blackstone