The artist your cocktail party playlist is missing.
I first heard hemlocke springs a couple of years ago when her bombastic track “Girlfriend” was taking off. From the first listen I knew she was special – funky, eccentric, oozing with personality, and dishing out some serious pop melodies that wiggle their way into the deepest parts of your brain. She might just be your favorite artist’s new favorite artist (Yes, that is a Chappell Roan reference. And yes, Chappell is an outspoken fan of hemlocke springs).
If you haven’t yet made your way to hemlocke’s music, including her recently released debut album, the apple tree under the sea, you are genuinely doing yourself a disservice. On this album, she builds on elements that made her previous work great and even soars to higher heights. If you are a fan of indie leaning pop tracks a la Magdalena Bay, you are in for a treat.
Standout tracks
w-w-w-w-w moses head, shoulders, knees and ankles
Several tracks are party ready – the infectious “w-w-w-w-w” is a perfect background track for a cocktail night, though don’t blame guests for getting distracted by the infectious hook that’ll have them chanting “I want your love” by the end of the song. On “moses” she performs an impressively modern interpretation of Madonna-esque ’80s pop, religious reference and all.
Put hemlocke springs on and I promise someone will pause mid-sentence and ask: who is this? A question that is one of the great pleasures of an excellent playlist and a perfect conversation starter.
And remember: music at a cocktail party is never background. It shapes the atmosphere. It sets the tone for the night before a drink is sipped or a word is spoken. Choose accordingly.
The After Dinner Edit 
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