Words: Gabrielle White / @gabrielleblanche
- Netherlands-native group CIEL release their most vulnerable track to date, ‘Never Alone Again’.
- Produced and mixed by Steven Ansell (Blood Red Shoes) and mastered by Robin Schmidt (The 1975, Wolf Alice & The Black Keys).
- The band comprises of Michelle Hindriks (vocals, guitar), Jorge Bela Jimenez (guitar, synth & bass) and Tim Spencer (drums).
CIEL capture a moment of vulnerability with their newest dream-pop anthem ‘Never Alone Again’. The trio are already working with the likes of Steven Ansell and Robin Schmidt, as well as garnering support from the likes of 6 Music, KEXP and BBC Introducing. The Netherlands-born group have only just begun making waves with their dreamy, spellbinding guitars and earnest lyricism.
With a female-fronted, 90’s feel that’s akin to Mazzy Star, CIEL’s offering in ‘Never Alone Again’ is a guitar-spangled, shoe-gazey piece of poetry, with front-woman Michelle Hindriks’ lyrics echoing the fears of reliving our darkest times and the vulnerability of loneliness.
Hindriks’ says: “It’s quite scary to me to release this song into the world as the lyrics are very personal and intimate. But it’s the reason why this song feels really close and honest to me. It’s a part of my life’s story. I think it’s important to actually be able to speak about these subjects more openly in our society”. This openness creates a poignance in Hindriks’ delivery, which coupled with the sweeping veils of synth and guitar riffs gives us a sense of optimism in amongst her deep honesty. A glance at the most human moments we all go through, wrapped up neatly into one of the most enjoyable pieces of new music we’ve heard in a while.