Description
Skullcrusher – Skullcrusher – Picture Disc Vinyl Record
Skullcrusher’s Skullcrusher (2020) is the debut self-titled EP from singer-songwriter Helen Ballentine, who records under the name Skullcrusher. The EP features a blend of indie folk and dream pop, with sparse, atmospheric arrangements that complement Ballentine’s introspective, often melancholic lyrics. Released through Secretly Canadian, the EP marks Ballentine as a rising voice in the indie folk scene, combining delicate acoustic textures with ethereal, contemplative vocals.
Despite the heavy name, Skullcrusher’s music is soft, reflective, and intimate, offering a contrast between the visceral imagery of the project’s title and the delicate, introspective soundscapes that define the music.
Skullcrusher is characterized by its minimalist and dreamy sound, blending indie folk with elements of ambient music and bedroom pop. The instrumentation is typically stripped down to gentle acoustic guitar, subtle synths, and soft percussive elements. The soundscapes are open and spacious, allowing Ballentine’s delicate, whispery vocals to take center stage. The production is atmospheric, with a hazy quality that adds to the intimate, introspective feel of the EP. Each song feels like a personal reflection, as if the listener is being invited into Ballentine’s inner world.
Key Tracks
“Places/Plans”: The opening track and lead single, “Places/Plans” sets the tone for the EP with its melancholic, dreamy atmosphere. The song features Ballentine’s fragile vocals paired with a minimal acoustic arrangement, slowly building with layers of gentle synths and percussion. The lyrics reflect themes of uncertainty and emotional distance, capturing a sense of quiet introspection.
“Trace”: This track showcases Ballentine’s storytelling ability, with delicate guitar plucking and ethereal vocals. The song’s melancholic tone reflects themes of memory and loss, enhanced by its sparse, haunting arrangement.
“Two Weeks in December”: A standout on the EP, this track features soft, folky guitar work and Ballentine’s whispery vocals. The lyrics reflect a quiet sense of longing, with Ballentine reflecting on a fleeting moment in time. The song builds subtly with lush, ambient synths, adding depth to the otherwise minimal arrangement.
“Day of Show”: The closing track, “Day of Show,” is a more ambient piece, relying heavily on layered textures and vocal harmonies. The song creates a dreamy, meditative atmosphere, capturing a moment of quiet reflection before an anticipated event, making it a fitting close to the EP.
Many of the songs on the EP explore themes of inner reflection, uncertainty, and the complexities of emotional relationships. Lyrics in tracks like “Places/Plans” and “Trace” capture feelings of isolation and introspection, often delivered in an understated, personal manner. There’s a sense of impermanence throughout the EP, with Ballentine reflecting on fleeting moments in life and the way memory shapes our understanding of the past. “Two Weeks in December,” for example, captures the nostalgia and emotional weight of remembering a specific time, creating a delicate balance between joy and sadness. Ballentine’s lyrics are often sparse, using simple language to convey complex emotions. This understated approach adds to the EP’s intimate feel, drawing the listener into its quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
The production on Skullcrusher is minimalist and atmospheric, creating an expansive yet intimate sound. The use of ambient synths and soft reverb on the vocals gives the songs a dreamy quality, while the acoustic guitar keeps the arrangements grounded in folk tradition. The production emphasizes space and silence, with many songs allowing pauses and quiet moments to play a central role. This creates a sense of stillness, drawing the listener deeper into the emotional landscape of the music.
Skullcrusher was widely praised by critics for its delicate, introspective approach to songwriting and its atmospheric production. Reviewers noted Ballentine’s ability to convey deep emotion through subtle, minimalist arrangements, with comparisons drawn to artists like Sufjan Stevens, Julie Byrne, and Bedouine. The EP helped establish Skullcrusher as a promising new voice in the indie folk and dream pop scenes, with its blend of emotional vulnerability and ethereal soundscapes resonating with listeners looking for introspective, contemplative music.
Skullcrusher is a delicate, introspective debut EP that introduces Helen Ballentine as an emerging voice in indie folk and dream pop. With its minimalist production, haunting soundscapes, and deeply personal lyrics, the EP creates an intimate atmosphere that invites the listener into Ballentine’s emotional world. For fans of ethereal, introspective music, Skullcrusher is a compelling and promising introduction to a unique new artist.
Comes in custom clear sleeve with tracks and credits screened on it
B-side is silent
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic slip sleeve
Track Listing
Places/Plans
Trace
Two Weeks In December
Day Of Show
