Album Review: Forest Bees – Between The Lines

A Hauntingly Anxious Album

Forest Bees is an indie artist based in California. She is an artist that has a very distinct sound based on synthesizers, eerie vocals and percussion. She strives to break the stereotypes of the indie genre that often centers young white men, as she is the daughter of Indian immigrants. She recently released her sophomore album, Between The Lines, in which she explores her sound and crafts a unique and interesting vibe.

“At My Sphere” starts the album on a haunting note. Over smooth synthesizers, she sings with an eerie tone in a low voice. It is hard to tell what the lyrics are at certain points as her voice blends into the synth to create a smooth sound. This is an intriguing track that will make listeners curious to see what the rest of the album holds.

The third track, “Absolution,” is a more bouncy and uplifting track. The hollow percussion and lighthearted chords carry the song to a relaxed yet happy vibe. She paints pictures with her lyrics that recall memories of being in love and living simply, despite the state of the world.

The next track, “Wolf In The Fable,” is another intriguing track. Falling back to the haunting vibes on the first track. The minor key, eerie synthesizers and low vocals evoke a feeling of uneasiness. This feeling continues and escalates when she begins to chant, “living on the edge of a knife, all destruction brings you life.” This song is another haunting track that makes the listener crawl in their skin, but also keeps them waiting to see where she will bring the song next.

The next track, “Draw Me In,” continues to bring uneasy feelings to the listener. The first minute of the song is an oscillating and bouncing synthesizer that continuously escalates until the piano joins in. She doesn’t incorporate vocals until about two minutes in. She sings gently over the piano and synthesizer noises. The track is a fairly montane vibe until about three minutes in, when intense percussion begins, and the vocals fade away. Once again, the vibe changes at four minutes, where it becomes only a smooth synthesizer until it ends. This song takes the listener on a journey of uneasiness and keeps them on their toes, always unsure of what will come next.

The vibe of title track “Between The Lines” is spooky, and it’s once again difficult to figure out what she is saying as the instrumentation and smooth vocals blend into one. The eerie vibe is maintained through her dark vocals and haunting tone.

The final track, “All That Damage,” is a seven-minute track that ends the album. It is a more laid-back and gentle track. The piano is uplifting and soft, which is a stark contrast to the eerie instrumentation on the previous tracks. About halfway through, she brings in a full band to combine her signature haunting tones with this gentle melancholic vibe, making for an interesting and impressive conclusion.

Overall, Forest Bees’ Between The Lines, is a haunting album that is sure to pull listeners in and keep them on their toes, unsure of what they might hear next.