Helena Deland – Lean On You

At the risk of sounding extremely biased, which, as a blog, I definitely am: if we're being honest, the 9 songs that make up the four collective volumes of Helena Deland's From The Series of Songs “Altogether Unaccompanied”, while not technically intended to exist as a cohesive full-length album, is easily one of the best records of the year. Following up her recent, dazzling synth-pop gem "Claudion" and the emotional folk ballad "Rise", new single "Lean on You" is another example of Deland's incredible versatility and depth as a songwriter; it's a smoldering, hypnotically swaying slow-burner about "about having a crush that you're kind of resisting because you don't want to surrender mental space to this." Like all of Helena's work, there's an understated majesty and elegance here that rewards repeat listens, preferably at a high volume. From The Series of Songs “Altogether Unaccompanied” Vol. III & IV is out October 19th on Luminelle.