hemlocke springs Blooms With Newest Album ‘the apple tree under the sea’
- Anderson Longenecker
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Last month, hemlocke springs released her second album, the apple tree under the sea. The sonically rich album whisks listeners on a musical journey within each song where nothing is as it seems. Mixing different styles while maintaining a mystical vibe, springs composes a 10-track album full of addictive story telling.
Known for her TikTok-viral song, "girlfriend," springs released her first album in 2023 with going…going…GONE! A blend of bedroom pop, synth pop, and 80s elements, her music feels like running through a field or laying on the floor of your bedroom on a hot summer day with a fan blowing in the background. It's whimsical, nostalgic, and brimming with feeling.
Self-producing each track alongside producer BURNS, springs has been working on this album for two years, first releasing "sever the blight" in May 2023. Fans have long awaited this project and for good reason. springs has crafted an amazing album with the apple tree under the sea.
The album begins with "the red apple," a short introduction track chock full of religious imagery. Starting subdued and then swelling in a dramatic fashion, the instruments conjure a fantasy image with springs as the narrator.
"Lately, red apples are tasty
They render all my sanity
To the sky
To the utmost high"
In this song, apples likely refer to the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil that Adam and Eve share in the Bible, which causes sin to enter the world. In Christianity, apples can symbolize temptation. Having grown up religious herself, springs uses these symbols throughout the album as she explores how she grew up and who she wants to be.
Listeners who grew up in religious spaces, especially extreme ones, will likely relate to the lyrics throughout the album. While at first glance, some songs like "the red apple" or "moses" may seem solely religious, there's a deeper meaning within the lyrics. For example, does "the red apple" tell a story of someone falling to temptation, or does the supposed temptation lead to enlightenment?
The pre-release song, "the beginning of the end," delivers an introspective reflection with a fuzzy vocal effect. Mixing pop with guitar and drums reminiscent of alternative rock, the song instantly grabs attention as springs sings about her feeling of emptiness and lack of control. In the music video, she gets into a fight and makes a comeback, working out to get stronger and eventually beating her opponent.
"Sometimes I think I should avoid the simpleness of filling holes with opioids"
Watch the music video:
The second pre-release, "head, shoulders, knees and ankles," serves up Halloween-esque chimes and chords, as the song follows the perspective of an angel with a bad demeanor watching a girl fall into a relationship. The key changes and spring's vocal style alternating throughout the song give listeners the impression of stage play, revealing different scenes.
This song blends drums, chimes, and shakers to form a catchy track that tells a story of child marriage—a young girl being married to an old man "with one foot in the grave." The lyrics rightfully question how anyone would want a man's love in that situation, mocking the thought of those feelings ever being mutual. Both a criticism and a sober reminder of a disturbingly real issue, "w-w-w-w-w" describes the stifling and oppressive nature of the patriarchy.
“moses”
Biblical allusions shine through "moses," a catchy R&B song with a choral opening. Referencing the stories of Moses parting the Red Sea and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the lyrics tell a story of resilience and faith, though perhaps not faith in a god.
"These days, I run blindfolded
Used my two hands to part the sea like Moses
I won't dissolve into pillars of salt, baby, lest I be swept away"
Diving deeper, Moses can be seen as a positive character within the Bible, as it was his faith that allowed him to part the Red Sea and save his people. Meanwhile, the two cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed due to their wickedness. “Pillars of salt” refers to Lot's wife, who is turned into salt after looking back at the city against God’s wishes. While springs claims that she will not be turned into salt, the second verse of the song reveals an inner dispute over following God's will and her own heart.
"So be careful what you wish for," words spoken from an uncouth
Beware the allure of falsities and half-truths
I'd spit that shit 'cause I wanted to
But then I found out one of them was loving you
I tell no secrets, my body harbors no lies
But now I'm fearing, I'm stuntin’ with my hands tied
I never went nowhere so I'll say a little prayer
"Lord, I'm not the evil-doer in this foolish love affair!"
The pulsing heartbeat featured in the backing track emphasizes both the references to running and fear of having to constantly maintain expectations. Overall, "moses" is an ode to finding oneself after experiencing religious trauma.
Using synths and 80s influence, a haunting, longing tone paints this song as one of wonderment—will love return? Being separated from one's love doesn't make those emotions disappear. You may be trapped in one place but longing to be somewhere else. The title tells us to cut out what's causing the decay, the blight in our lives.
Looking at the music video, hemlocke springs plays two characters, the king and the cloaked figure trapped in the dungeons. In a Renaissance style, the king poses with her lover, who eventually poisons the court and kills the king. springs sings from the dungeon, wondering if her lover will return. A doomed lesbian romance perhaps? It's unclear if the ending of the music video is real or hypothetical, and the song, similarly, does not give that sense of closure.
Watch the music video:
The string instruments in this prelude create a sense of urgency. Meanwhile, a sermon echoes, preaching about the judgment of God. Whispers grow into marching footsteps, then a raucous rioting, which flows right into the next song.
Continuing after the prelude, the rioting sounds transition into the thumping beat of an R&B track with the same sense of urgency. Cue an 80s pop influence and the song turns into a story of faith in oneself. Despite painful events, springs affirms her ability to handle whatever may come her way. The jumping synths add a haunted undertone and set the song apart from traditional pop.
"I can't stop it!
When the bite takes the bull
Lean on the voice inside, in full"
Bringing the xylophone and the bubbles, "set me free" is a whimsical love song with heaps of yearning. The song utilizes silence to emphasize springs’ vocals and lyrical speaking. Both relatable and sensual, the song turns the lights down low, getting close and personal.
"You got me singing, baby
I hope you wanna set me free
I hope you wanna lose your mind"
This five minute song begins with slow, building instrumentals and wide, sweeping synths, progressing into a scream-worthy pop anthem. "be the girl!" encapsulates casting off expectations and labels that no longer fit in favor of exploring yourself. The key changes and dichotomy between springs’ whispery tone to a strong belt make this song feel like the ride of your life.
"There's a time and a place
That I thought I knew, but now I know I can't
Be the girl I used to know
Even though I thought I could"
The music video completely encapsulates the chaos of finding yourself. Featuring springs and a group of girls spending time in a house together, the music video flips between them acting playful and violent. Each girl also takes an apple from a table, calling back to the themes of this album. "be the girl!" is the perfect finale for an album about the process of finding yourself. Much like the ocean, there is so much more to explore.
Watch the music video:
What else is there to say? springs has gifted fans with a magnificent album, opening her heart to the world. With an undeniably captivating production and poignant lyrics, the apple tree under the sea is the electronic, experimental alt pop comeback that fans have been waiting for.
hemlocke springs will begin touring in May, starting in Phoenix, Arizona. See her website for more details.
What did you think about the album? What is your favorite song from the apple tree under the sea? Let us know in the comments below or by reaching out to us on Instagram or X.
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Edited by: Michelle Leung
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