Hello Forever Review

Hello Forever is a psychedelic and intense journey through an alt-folk lens. There is confidence in the execution of this album that differentiates it from other music in the genre and hints at the deep and varied experience each member of the group brings to the table. One aspect of the project that stands out across several tracks is the use of harmony. The main voices complement each other with their juxtaposition. One voice feels heavy, dark and purposefully rough, while the other feels effervescent.

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This vocal explores the higher register sections of the album’s melodies with a shiny timbre and ethereal tone. Together, they create this beautiful dissonance that draws out emotion. These voices also create a unifying atmosphere that draws the listener deeper into the music, immersing them within layers of vocals, emphasising the narrative and adding texture to the sonic landscape. This factor is especially noticeable in the opening tracks such as Come Down To The River and Hello Forever. Another aspect that lends itself to the alt-folk identity of the project while also adding an ethereal edge to the composition is the spaced-out acoustic strumming guitar. Something about the way it is mixed reminds me of cold morning walks in the countryside. The brightness of the timbre combined with the subtle reverb creates a sound that feels like folk with an enigmatic edge. The strumming has to support not just the melody, but also the rhythm in certain sections of the album. It excels in these moments and I think the guitar alone with the vocals creates a beautiful, raw, stripped-back sound that provides a contrast to the bold, fuller moments across the project. The album excels in the quieter moments and its climaxes. This variety is a testament to the quality of the vocalists as well as the band’s chemistry overall.

This album impressed me with its unifying spirit and adept sonic execution.