Kranky have just announced that they’ll be releasing the debut album by a new(-ish) Oregon band, Helen. They’re fronted by Liz Harris, best known for the beautiful, notably quiet music she makes as Grouper, and feature Jed Bindeman of Portland psychedelic rock group Eternal Tapestry and Scott Simmons of Eat Skull and Sun Supreme (as well as ‘Helen’ on back-up vocals, we’re told). They’re described simply as a "pop group" and the album, The Original Faces, comes after a 7" single, ‘Felt This Way’/’Dying All The Time’, in 2013.
"Originally started with the intention of being a thrash band, it turned into something else entirely," says the press release. "The Original Faces was recorded over a period of several years in Portland by the band members, their friends Nick, Chris and, largely, Justin Higgins. The record was written together, with some songs based on Liz and Scott’s demos." The album’s out on September 4 and they’ve given us a taster in the shape of ‘Motorcycle’ – listen above.
