As bedroom pop got its rise in popularity during the mid-2010s, some artists began playing with tools like GarageBand to create quirky, individualistic pieces of music from the comfort of their homes. This is the case for Isimeme “Naomi” Udu, better known under her artist moniker Hemlocke Springs.
Springs is an interesting character herself. She grew up in Concord, North Carolina, as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. Her upbringing was religious, familiarizing her with gospel music. She studied biology at Spelman College and went on to get her master’s at Dartmouth College.
Now 27 years old, Springs began making music at home, eventually popularizing her tunes on TikTok before releasing her first single, “gimme all ur luv,” in 2022. After going viral on TikTok, she opened for famous artists like Doja Cat, Chapell Roan and Conan Gray. Seemingly continuing on her train of success, she released her debut album “the apple tree under the sea” on Friday.
“The apple tree under the sea” is a self-produced, dramatic alt-pop album released by Springs with AWAL. The 10-track record explores themes of self-expression, discovery, religion and relationships. Each track is a new experience for the listener, as Springs incorporates different styles of music into her 80s synth-pop-inspired songs.
The album’s introductory track, “the red apple,” describes Springs’ feeling of moving outside of her religious upbringing. The track is ethereal and enchanting, as if it could be heard in a cathedral. Another song that explores religious themes is track five, “moses,” with lyrics like, “I don’t dissolve into pillars of salt” representing the shift in finding an identity outside of religion. This song blends a choral opening with EDM beats throughout the rest of the song, creating a captivating listening experience.
In “the apple tree under the sea,” religion is not the only lens through which Springs examines her identity. In the R&B-inspired track “set me free,” Springs sings about sex in a way that is reminiscent of 2000s beats from the likes of Nelly Furtado and Beyoncé.
“Set me free” transitions to the last track on the album, “be the girl!” This song feels like a rebirth for Springs. She sings, “I can’t be the girl I used to know, even though I thought I could.” Here, she works through growing up and becoming a different person than expected, moving away from our former selves.
A standout track that precedes “be the girl!” but seems to go hand-in-hand musically and thematically is “the beginning of the end.” It is the second track of the album and one of three pre-released singles, with “head, shoulders, knees and ankles” and “w-w-w-w-w,” and this song was written seven years ago. Springs was still in university when she wrote the track, reckoning with her expanding world and searching for a new sense of self.
“Head, shoulders, knees and ankles” and “w-w-w-w-w” are two of the most intense songs on the album. The former track has heavy, urgent vocals that drop into a ballad ending. It is theatrical, with clever lyrics and a barrage of energy.
“W-w-w-w-w” was inspired by the documentary “Father Figures.” It details the story of the filmmaker’s father, a 73-year-old man, who aimed to marry a girl 50 years his junior. Springs’ song is a forceful response to the story, with lyrics like “He’s 73, his soul is astray” being one of the kinder ones on the track. Despite the sharp edge of the track, it is still a fun, stylized piece listeners can appreciate.
Each song on “the apple tree under the sea” takes listeners through a new journey. Considering the album is self-produced, it is easy to be impressed by the musical fervor of Springs. She is bringing a truly sensory experience to the indie genre.
Fans of independent artists might want to keep an eye on Springs. As her music career continues to grow, it can be expected that she will keep being one of the most exciting up-and-coming voices in pop.
