Hennen & Algae Dust - "Grasp / Auto-Pilot"
HENNEN & ALGAE DUST - “GRASP / AUTO-PILOT”
St. Louis songwriting power duo Alison Setili (Frankie Valet) and Hannah Rainey (Shady Bug, Dubb Nubb) had a fruitful quarantine creating sick music, and their frands (= friends + fans) from across the state have been delightfully anticipating these new tunes. Their split LP, under their artist names Algae Dust and Hennen, features two singles, “Grasp” and “Auto-Pilot,” released via It Takes Time Records, and are nothing short of midwest dream pop excellence.
Algae Dust’s “Grasp” accentuates an elegant, yet droney synth organ (that I loooove), heavy crash cymbals, and sweet, steady electric guitar. Alison writes, “[she] considers themes such as nostalgia, cyclical thought, and the importance of perspective.” Hennen’s “Auto-Pilot” was impressively written and recorded entirely on her iPhone GarageBand app in her bedroom in south city. I love her delicate vocals, poppy drum beat, and synth bass. On their Bandcamp page, she admits that the record “became a way to help process heartbreak and isolation during the pandemic.”
The entire self-titled album is a chill, moody, shoegaze dreamscape. I can’t wait to hopefully see these alt-folk mega stars at an in-person show after the pandemic. Cool sounds, cool collaboration, cool friendship... What’s not to enjoy?
Grab a limited edition cassette on Bandcamp or check out their music on Spotify.
LISTEN NOW
Review by ::
Alison Hawkins
Manor Staff Writer & True Lions Founder.
Manor Records gives 100% of the article author rights to Alison Hawkins.