The Love EP - Treble Helix

By Daffs aka @TwoDaff

Treble Helix are back with their eighth release ‘The Love EP’. It’s an ambitious project and further enhances the experimental nature of the band. Husband and wife team Steph and Kier Lavin formed Treble Helix in 2021 and were later joined by vocalist/songwriter Donny Gallacher. After releasing their debut single ‘The Weather is Changing’ they expanded their line up in order to play live.

Intrigued, influenced and fascinated by technology and the musical DIY culture, they incorporate an electronic rhythm section that lays the groove when performing live, alongside the more traditional two guitars, keyboards and two vocals, therefore never straying from their psychedelic/indie/rock influences.

Treble Helix have release seven singles to date, some of which I have reviewed on this site…have a look! They have received radio play on BBC Radio Ulster, The Frank Skinner Show and Absolute radio and are set to play alongside indie legends Bez (Happy Mondays/Black Grape) and Chris Helme (Seahorses) at the Queens Park Arena, Glasgow in support of musicians in recovery on 9th July.

The Love EP is set for release on 26th May and Steph's artwork alludes to the spread of love through old and new media, according to the band

“ it’s a message that reflects the creative ethos behind the production of the EP, mixing the best of analogue and digital technology”

So, lets take a trip with Treble Helix, through space and time…and back to Nibiru…

Dreamy and ethereal

‘Loves Not Cancelled’. I have previously reviewed this track (FULL REVIEW HERE) so won’t dwell but will say (Quote) “ I love this track, the blend of the intense, heady guitars and the smooth, emotive voice creates a sound that is dreamy and ethereal. The whole track shimmers, guitar leads glisten whilst drums pound and drive the track. It is complex, there are multiple layers, packed with melodies it’s a kaleidoscope of colour. In my opinion it’s a fantastic track that deserves to be heard.”

A swirling psychedelic feel

‘Marvellous’. Filled with dripping melodic chiming guitars, that drift and infiltrate the drum groove. This track has a cool 60’s feel with all the trappings and swagger of a modern indie vibe. Donny’s vocal sounds, well, just cool. Delivering lyrics such as “Its clear to me you’re a wannabe, a pretender playing the part”. There's a swirling psychedelic feel and this is a hallmark of Treble Helix and what makes them unique as a band. The guitars provide a resonating colour that is vibrant, the solos shimmer and really fly high. Its catchy as hell and is a definite earworm. Building to a sonic crescendo at the end It certainly lives up to the title.

A resonating colour that is vibrant

‘River’. Has a different feel, I get hints of the Roses (just hints) I think it’s the way the swaggering vocal is delivered. Backed with catchy guitar rhythms and overlaid with those chiming solo riffs and fills, it’s a great sound, pure indie (my kinda music). The vocal is strong once again, I like the tonality in Donny’s voice, and as the track builds it becomes more aggressive, like a river, starting at its source before building in power and intensity as it tumbles downstream.

Edging on a dance groove

‘Give Out your Love’. Opening with a grooving drum beat before Donny's vocal jumps in with a Ryder-esque tone, it has a Mondays/screamadelica vibe, but there is much more to it, driven by the drum beat with added keys/synths with guitars taking a bit of a background role. Again, it’s a different feel, edging on a dance groove in my opinion, that said its not 100mph, its laid back and chilled. We are then treated to Steph's vocal, adding atmosphere and an ethereal softness to the track. Both vocals blend well together. As we progress it takes a more psychedelic turn, a fantastic Wah infused guitar gives this a supercool vibe. It has (as always) many layers, everything is fused perfectly. Love this track.

9 minutes of pure psychedelic magic

‘Fuck Off Back Nibiru (The lost Epic of Gilgamesh)’ This is Treble Helix at their best, 9 minutes of pure psychedelic magic. It showcases their ethos, it highlights their undoubted skill in producing unique and simply great music. It has an underlying riff throughout, gentle at first with spoken voice samples, it builds and builds into an anthemic, grooving stomper of a track. A real dance groove, this picks you up, gives your head a full on shake and makes you dance. Its full on psychedelic, almost trance like. This has to be played loud, the beats thump, it has everything, a cool melodic hook, resonating bass, there's even more Wah. Its full of complexities, multi layered, with an upbeat ambience. A truly amazing track.

This is Treble Helix at their best

Treble Helix have created a monster here, this is them doing what they do best. I haven't heard another band like these, everything is unique, everything is perfectly honed. They have variety in their music, no two songs are alike. This EP showcases the band in all their glory. I cannot fault any track if I am honest, there is something about every one that draws you in, you always want to hear more simply because you don’t know what's coming next.

You don’t know what's coming next

For me, the final track blew me away, it has that grooving feel yet it grows in intensity as it builds. If you were to listen to one band on Friday, then I urge you to jump in and join the journey that Treble Helix are on, its exciting, its interesting and above all bloody good.