We did check what we wrote about Belum earlier this year, and we were met with this incredibly funny sentence: “Honestly, we weren’t expecting ‘Twins’ to be this good”. A quick listen refreshed our memory: packed with pathos and eclecticism, the project of producers Tal Eshel and Nitzan Oppenheimer exists at the intersection of trip-hop and electronica, also sharing a strong cinematic character. ‘Calfskin Gifts’ is their latest effort, another nuanced and subliminally evocative jewel that’s highly hypnotising and ethereal.
Providing tons of elegance, we find again Amalia Small’s luscious vocals, drenched in expansive reverb and anthemic energy. Her wonderful tone works very well with Belum’s sonic references. From the guitars to the electronic beats, passing through charming horns and intricate synthwork, everything screams masterpiece: simply, this is a true work of art.
Citing Cocteau Twins and Portishead as some of their biggest influences, Belum explains: “The new single reflects our influences from Portishead and Cocteau Twins, blending classic trip-hop textures with a fresh, introspective feel.” Look out for the project’s upcoming album, ‘Fleece’, expected at some point next year.
Recommended! Discover ‘Calfskin Gifts’ on Spotify:
