Sweden has once again proven that there must be something in the water over there that fuels some of the most fantastic music I listen to. Graveyard, Siena Root, Lykantropi, and Children of the Sun are just a handful of bands that have turned my head over the years. The bands mentioned above all have their sound rooted in the classic ‘60s and ‘70s hard/psych/occult rock movement. Nephila, however, is something a bit different and quite a bit surprising for me.
Nephila’s self-titled debut album was a real treat to listen to. Featuring Children of the Sun songwriter/guitarist Jacob Hellenrud, Nephila is more than just one particular influence. The opening song “White Bones” sounds like it could be a ‘90s jam band classic featuring the dual vocals of Stina Olsson and Josephine Asker. Having two lead vocalists leaves very little room for error these two women make it sound effortless as their voices make dips and rises in dynamic. “Mushroom Creature” sounds like it very well could have been a Jefferson Airplane song.
“Guidance to Agony” starts with a head-nodding groove, only to slip into a very Doors-esque vibe. Once again, the vocals are out of this world, and hearing these two voices together sounds as if they were born to sing with each other. As much as I love this album as a whole, “Belladonna” is the showstopper of this album. “Belladonna” beckons back to the ‘70s progressive masters such as Rush and even Yes, thanks to the outstanding synth intro by keyboardist Johan Larsson. Asker and Olsson’s vocals are lush, inspired, and moving, and this is a song that got quite a few re-listens.
Over the years, I have come to expect a particular style of music that I lovingly refer to as the “Swedish Sound,” but Nephila steps out from the “sound” and offers something different and refreshing. As much as I love the occult and psychedelic-laden music of many bands, it’s a real treat to hear a young band find a way to encapsulate all of the aspects of the Swedish Sound that I love. Nephila managed to create an infectious blend of harmony vocals, catchy hooks, and engaging and thoughtful lyrics backed by tight yet fluid musicianship.
Nephila is a band that has something for everyone. When I think of a band that people who genuinely love music listen to, Nephila fits that description to a “t.” Nephila is a sigh of relief for this old fart who is just happy to see the younger generation keeping the best music alive for a whole new generation. Heads up, music freaks. Nephila is a band to keep your eyes and ears on.
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