EP Review: Rosehip Teahouse – 'Chillin In The Void'
Need to escape the world for a little while? No problem, Cardiff five-piece Rosehip Teahouse strongly encourage daydreaming with debut EP ‘Chillin In The Void’.
‘Chillin In The Void’ must have been made by fairies. It’s the only possible explanation for the ethereal kind of magic that flows through its veins. Framed by delicate opener ‘It’s The Wrong Time’ and equally as mesmerising closing number ‘Light Footed, For Once’, the EP lives in its own little universe. Twinkling guitars and hazy, reverb-heavy melodies make each track sparkle in an otherworldly light while Faye’s pure vocals softly sing you to sleep. Standout moment on the EP is ‘Thought Number 3’, a stunning ballad that, wrapped into glittering synths, talks about anxiety and depression - “I’m sorry if I think I’m better off dead sometimes.” This kind of heartfelt lyricism is an integral part of Rosehip Teahouse’s trademark sound. Wistful and emotive, they speak about dark days and hopeless moments incorporating the band’s own experiences in the songwriting process. “The EP was made by myself and the genius that is Alice Low in a single night in our flat in Cardiff,” vocalist Faye explains. “I’d been finding the lockdown so draining, but making this EP really allowed some light back into it all. We sat on the carpet for 10 hours or so and when it was done, ran it through our reel to reel tape machine. It felt really nostalgic making this record.”
With ‘Chillin In The Void’, Rosehip Teahouse have crafted a gorgeous debut record that showcases their extremely creative take on indie-pop. Their immersive sound takes you away to a dreamy alternate reality and lets you float weightlessly for as long as you wish.
Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven