Details: Sacred Bones’ release of Spellling’s 2021 album, The Turning Wheel, pressed on translucent violet double-vinyl. Brilliant album! New stock, sealed.

Description:“Red velvet curtains draw back to reveal a cosmic wheel of fortune, floating in the deep black star-studded theater of infinite space. A whirl of timbres, personalities, and stories. The Turning Wheel, the third full-length bythe Bay Area artistSPELLLING (ChrystiaCabral), revolves around themes of human unity, the future, divine love and the enigmatic ups and downs of being a part of this carnival called life.

Venturing to push the boundaries of her primarily synth-based work, SPELLLING took on the ambitious task of orchestrating and self-producing an album that features an ensemble of 31 collaborating musicians. The Turning Wheel incorporates a vast range of rich acoustic sounds that cast SPELLLINGs work into vibrant new dimensions. The double LP is split into two halves Above and Below. Lush string quartet shimmer combines with haunting banjo and wandering bassoon leads, as the album progresses from the more jubilant, warm, and dreamy mood of the Above tracks to the more chilling and gothic tone of the Below tracks. This progression is anchored by SPELLLINGs familiar bewitching vocal style that emphasizes the theatrical and folkloric heart of her songwriting.

The release of The Turning Wheel was delayed by almost a year from its intended release date in September 2020 but theforced pause ended up serving as a blessing in disguise. Navigating the chaos of recording and producing the remaining instrumentalists – either remotely or through rigid socially distanced studio sessions – was immensely difficult, however the delays ultimately opened up the opportunity for SPELLLING to dedicate more attention to her lyrics. The Turning Wheel demonstrates a distinct evolution of lyrical style, from the more incantatory and abbreviated approach of her previous work to a more expansive, narrative production.
The Turning Wheel is a manifestation of this considerable effort, time, and collaborative energy and will surely become a classic for its elegance. And while the artists eclectic influences, from soul to psych to pop to noise, remain present, something entirely new has also been born in the cosmic soup of this massive undertaking: a grand and genreless adventure. One that allows the artists authenticity to shine and also marks her as a conduit for something with a magic of its own.

SPELLLINGs previous bodies of work have earned her critical acclaim. Her 2017 debut Pantheon of Me was Bandcamps #4 Album of the Year and they raved: Cabral hasit, from her careful sense of composition to her charismatic presence to her ability to communicate with her music straight through to the listeners heart. Her first release on Sacred Bones, theHard to Please single, was named a Best Track byThe Guardian, whosaid the song waslikeSolangelooking in a haunted mirror. Her second full length Mazy Fly saw great support from the likes of Pitchfork (its the sound of an artists vision sharpening, pointing outward.), Stereogum (Its a gorgeous and evocative and provocative record, and it points to a future where Cabral could pretty much do anything.), Paste (too appealing to resist) and once again found its place in The Best Albums of 2019 at Bandcamp.”

Grade: M (new stock)

TRACK LISTING SIDE A:

A1. Little Deer
A2. Always
A3. Turning Wheel

TRACK LISTING SIDE B:

B1. The Future
B2. Awaken
B3. Emporer WithAn Egg

TRACK LISTING SIDE C:

C1. Boys At School
C2. Legacy
C3. Queen of Wands

TRACK LISTING SIDE D:

D1. Magic Act
D2. Revolution
D3. Sweet Talk