Photo credit: Tania Safi
‘Helen’ is a lightly orchestrated acoustic tune that feels more like a fond memory than a song. Sufjan Stevens-esque whispered vocals adorn ambient and delicately plucked guitar. The result is an expansive and shimmery spectral that is disarming in its honesty.
Circle writes intimately, weaving what feels like a personal narrative into an easily relatable song, possessing enough innate beauty to soften even the hardest of critiques.
‘Helen’ is plucked from Circle’s forthcoming album Coco and Charlie and provides a small taste of what is to come. “Coco and Charlie started as a collection of love songs about the people in my life who’ve made an indelible mark in one way or another. As the material progressed over the course of demos and a natural whittling down process, the songs started to be more like archetypes. With that development came a deeper freedom to expand on the lyrical content and not be too constrained to a corporeal truth about an individual.”
The softly spoken lyrics from Radi Safi are instantly enchanting. Reminiscent of former front-runners Mount Eerie, The Middle East, and Sufjan Stevans. A talent of ‘Helen’ is that it avoids the trappings of kitsch nostalgia – instead, it is unquestionably rooted in the present.
Circle honors the artistry of music and a special aspect of their work is the unique recording processes. This ultimately imparts a special quality that elevates the song into music for the soul.
“We decided that we’d push classic four track demos to the absolute limit and record everything to our old Tascam tape machine. The process of a great condenser mic going through a world class preamp only to all end up on a $200 tape machine (with a ridiculously worn out tape inside) had a huge allure.” Circle
The accompanying video for Helen was produced by Gabby Dadgostar, a veteran in the Sydney music video scene. Aligning with the thematic strengths of the music, that being rooted in the tender memory for loved ones. Gabby had the idea to collect and use iPhone footage in a unique way. “It’s obviously a very simple concept but it marries beautifully with the aesthetic of the recording and lyrical content. Suffice to say we were all pleasantly surprised!” Circle
PRAISE FOR CIRCLE
“It’s heartache indie rock at its best”
Rave Magazine
“Shimmering and peddling in with the prettiest pulsing, cheery verging on melancholy tune I have heard in a while”
IMN
“Oh, Australia, you never let me down!“
1146 MILES
“I really love records like this. The ones that throw unexpected things in there and the ones that seem to create new sounds out of thin air.”
Of Reckless Abandon
“Thanks for bearing the torch for sweet, charming indie pop”
Triple J Unearthed
“Known for their love of analog equipment and their fun synth-pop sensibilities [Circle] deliver once again on their latest single.”
STGS
Helen is out 16th March
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