Nephele: Act 1
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
A Los Angeles artist who is very much steeped in modern pop ideas, Gabriella Raelyn pens a concept album here, where a 21 year old enchantress from the ‘80s sorts through internal struggles.
The warm keys and light buzzing of the “Nephele… Is My Name…” opens the listen with mysterious storytelling, and “Wish Upon A Star” follows with bright keys and a firm beat, as Raelyn’s smooth voice guides the playful electro-pop.
In the middle, the dance floor ready “Peace Or Love” is packed with plenty of infectious grooves, while the darker spirit of “The Music Man” is both bare and busy with New Wave nods amid the dream-pop. The last track, ““The Waking Hour…”, exits much like how it started, where strong attention to mood and Raelyn’s spoken word fuels the mesmerizing finish.
Raelyn was raised on a steady diet of Madonna, Depeche Mode and The Cure, and those influences are certainly present across this diverse listen that embraces synthwave, darkwave, R&B and house sounds.
Travels well with: Charlie Risso- Alive; Alessandro Incorvaia- It Emerged To Hold Me