So Below – II
(Independent)
Reviewed by Bridget Herlihy.
So Below’s (aka. Madeline North) ascent from relative obscurity to international recognition and acclaim has been steady over the couple of year. The proudly Kiwi chanteuse’s latest offering comes in the form of the completion of her second EP, simply titled ‘II’. This EP has been a labour of love, with each of the EP’s four tracks dropping one by one over the last year. The release of the fourth and final track ‘Visions’ completes the lineup, an uplifting track that is full of hope, an ode to striving to be the best possible version of oneself while avoiding the traps of complacency.
‘II’ is the result of a four-way collaboration between North, Chelsea Jade (aka Watercolours), Sam McCarthy (Kids of 88), and engineer Aaron Short (The Naked and Famous). The result of this relationship is a sensual feast for the ears. Easily defying atypical genre conventions and expectations, So Below is perhaps best described in North’s own words as ‘goth-pop’, blending elements of both light and dark, through the masterful fusion of delicate, ethereal – and at times haunting – vocals and moody, industrial-influenced beats. Yet So Below does not dwell in the depths of doom and gloom, but rather presents the listener with a multi-layered soundscape that is at times nothing short of hypnotic, even more so when played loud. Including the tracks Hard, the upbeat and infectious Ruin, and last year’s brilliant single Close, each of the four songs that make up the EP are stunning in their own right, creating a concise yet striking body of work. One of the most attractive qualities of So Below’s soundtrack is that this is music that one can quite easily lose themselves in; an aural journey into a new world. There is no doubt that So Below is destined for even greater things. Watch this space.
If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.