"like teenagers secretly in the woods / buying time from the sacred trees / bending down on our knees / but what's the cause of your despair?"
The mnemonic tapestries of sound, alluring, mysterious and diaristic of "Tree" by Hilke, the solo incarnation of Belgian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Hilke Ros, draws you inward in both imperceptible and stark ways. There is a glacial sweeping sadness, deeply resonant piano runs and ebbs of strings against ambient pulls, a sense of wandering through hallways and around corners of an old cluttered house, maybe cluttered with things but mostly memories. All this as a wonderfully evocative framework for Hilke's beautiful vocal countenance telling poetic intimate stories like memories in English with the chorus in French,
"ma belle, tu me raconteras tout
tu me raconteras tout, quand tu seras prête"
which translates to
"my dear, you will tell me everything
you will tell me everything, when you are ready"
And so this illusory sonic story goes, floats into your senses. If you are so inclined you might see an indie movie in your head, or at least, a trailer for one and wonder about the depth or seeds of this song. I love songs that feel like curious come ons. Songs that might inspire your own stories or memories.
Hilke Ros offers up vocals, piano, cello, sound design with viola by Gina Eté.
LINER NOTES:
[Hilke is a former member of the Belgian dream pop outfit Amatorski and released some electronic tracks under the moniker Hroski. Now she shows herself in all honesty under her own name: Hilke.]
It crackles. It ripples. It creaks. And the melancholic piano melody swells. But when Hilke’s gentle and rich vocals enter, the mood shifts — almost imperceptibly. Faint glimmers of hope and reassurance shine through like the light between branches. Tree, the first single from Hilke’s upcoming album, Am I Angry Enough?, is a captivating love song that intertwines English and French. Hilke’s voice, more nuanced and multifaceted than ever, reveals an impressive range of timbres and textures that invites listeners to surrender completely — and be swept away.
The Tages-Anzeiger once described Hilke as sounding “like the sorrowful half-sibling of Jay-Jay Johnson and ANOHNI — a voice that speaks of vulnerability, of questioning one’s own gender identity, a voice that both unsettles and enchants.” On her new album, Hilke continues to explore and demonstrate musical diversity while inspiring audiences with unique feminist and genderqueer perspectives. Am I Angry Enough? will be released on 7 February 2025 on Red Brick Records.
It crackles. It ripples. It creaks. And the melancholic piano melody swells. But when Hilke’s gentle and rich vocals enter, the mood shifts — almost imperceptibly. Faint glimmers of hope and reassurance shine through like the light between branches. Tree, the first single from Hilke’s upcoming album, Am I Angry Enough?, is a captivating love song that intertwines English and French. Hilke’s voice, more nuanced and multifaceted than ever, reveals an impressive range of timbres and textures that invites listeners to surrender completely — and be swept away.
The Tages-Anzeiger once described Hilke as sounding “like the sorrowful half-sibling of Jay-Jay Johnson and ANOHNI — a voice that speaks of vulnerability, of questioning one’s own gender identity, a voice that both unsettles and enchants.” On her new album, Hilke continues to explore and demonstrate musical diversity while inspiring audiences with unique feminist and genderqueer perspectives. Am I Angry Enough? will be released on 7 February 2025 on Red Brick Records.
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://www.instagram.com/hilk.eu
https://www.facebook.com/hilkeu
Hilke is a former member of the Belgian dream pop outfit Amatorski and released some electronic tracks under the moniker Hroski. Now she shows herself in all honesty under her own name: Hilke.
In the heart of the pandemic winter, she made a profound choice: bringing back the acoustic piano. After immersing herself in the electronic sounds of 'Silent Violent,' her debut album, Hilke rediscovered the emotional depth of the piano. The intimate sessions of dreamy piano improvisations set the stage for 'Piano Feroce,' an upcoming album that goes beyond mere acoustic renditions. It's a new chapter of musical introspection, showcasing Hilke's evolving artistry and the profound connection between her voice and the piano.
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/hilk.eu
https://www.facebook.com/hilkeu
Hilke is a former member of the Belgian dream pop outfit Amatorski and released some electronic tracks under the moniker Hroski. Now she shows herself in all honesty under her own name: Hilke.
In the heart of the pandemic winter, she made a profound choice: bringing back the acoustic piano. After immersing herself in the electronic sounds of 'Silent Violent,' her debut album, Hilke rediscovered the emotional depth of the piano. The intimate sessions of dreamy piano improvisations set the stage for 'Piano Feroce,' an upcoming album that goes beyond mere acoustic renditions. It's a new chapter of musical introspection, showcasing Hilke's evolving artistry and the profound connection between her voice and the piano.
Hilke, neo modern classical, dream pop, memories, diaristic, alluring, mysterious, melancholia, singer songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Hilke Ros, "Tree", upcoming album "Am I Angry Enough",
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