The stark beauty of some of this EP is sure to impress a lot of listeners. Nastavi, Calliope, the new release from Babehoven, draws upon traditions and inspirations from Maya Bon's Croatian lineage, as well as a year of isolation due to COVID. The resulting music is rich, if basic in its approach.
"Bad Week" opens this with a minimalism that's bewitching, the progression of the chords here adding an elegiac weight to the music, while "Like Artists Making Offerings" is even better. This one winds around a sinewy hook that's part Joni, part Suzanne Vega, and one that's elegantly spry and simple. Babehoven imbue this rather simple material with a heaviness that's got something spiritual about it. Still, the melodies are all fairly routine, with the majority of this material regrettably having a similar sound. The power is not in doubt, just the variety of hooks, you know? Thankfully, "Orange Tree" is a bit looser, hinting at new shades and styles that Maya is likely to try out on future releases.
Nastavi, Calliope is out on Friday.
More details on Babehoven via the official website.
[Photo: Jessica Chappe]