On his sophomore album, Helix, Cole Lumpkin delivers more than just a collection of songs, he offers a testament to a catalytic year defined by a creative reclamation. Written, performed, and self-produced entirely by Lumpkin (released via Suite 484 and The Orchard), the project is a soul coming out the other side of a depressive period and a struggle with identity.
The opening of Helix is something of a sonic bluff. It starts with a brief instrumental intro of atmospheric synth pads, but this serves more as sharp contrast between these ethereal clouds and the rest of the album as the intro develops directly into the heartbeat of “Where I Left Me” which really sets the true tone. It introduces the listener to Lumpkin’s signature vocals, processed through a consistent effect chain, and a level of high-fidelity production throughout the album.
90 Degrees is characterized by a soulful R&B vibe and a J Dilla-infused beat. Between the melodic flows, rich vocal harmonies, and jazzy keys, it’s a dense listen, but what steals the spotlight is the really cool bass line, it literally refuses to let the listener stay apathetic.
With Bamboozled By Love the artist moves into different territory, trading the R&B pulse for a classic rock glamour. Driven by a solid guitar riff and organic organ layers it gives these classic vibes but at the same time it stays true to the album’s identity. The groove switch only adds an extra layer to make the track even more engaging.
Softer as the title implies, is the melodic heart of the album. The drum machine beat is filtered down to its mid-high frequencies, creating a thin, crisp pulse that lets the sweet, organic piano and vocal delivery take center stage. On the contrary, Elevate (feat. Zach DeNike) closes the album on a high note. With nicely saturated drum machines, sweet jazzy chords and rich vocal layers, it creates a sound that feels genuinely uplifting. Elevation, honestly, isn’t that what we all need these days?
We left our personal bit for the end. The Crystal Island is the real winner as it successfully bridges the gap between the album’s elegant, classic vibes and a sharp modern twist with a lovely synth arpeggio (that will make many electronic producers jealous) and what we consider the best melodic layer in the chorus found on the entire record.
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