Scarlet Mill – Port Henry (2022)
Inspired by the likes of Ricky Lee Jones, Tom Waits, Amy Winehouse, Lou Reed, Radiohead and David Bowie, Dutch group Scarlett Mill has an obscure sound. Established musicians, Jennifer Moesker (vocals, piano and synths) and Erik Verhoef (vocals, guitar, bass and drums) came together in the 1980s to make music. After going their separate ways for a couple of decades after meeting, the pair are back with their project Scarlett Mill. Along with their permanent special guest Maarten Verhoef (saxophone), Scarlett Mill plans to bring their unique artistry to the world.
Featured on notable independent blogs such as Sinusoidal Music, Roadie Music and Less Than 1000 Followers, Scarlett Mill is reaching audiences on an international scale. In fact, Edgar Allan Poets have described the pair as “unique and hypnotic”, and if their new single is all we have to go by we have to agree. Come with us as we delve into their latest release ‘Port Henry’.
Following their single ‘Kanoet’, Moesker and Verhoef adopt a more upbeat, hard-hitting rock-inspired sound in ‘Port Henry’. Driven by guitars with underlying synths and keys, ‘Port Henry’ has a heavy but also soothing tone. Tipping you immediately into a sonic swirl, the duo reaches out into the cinematic soundscape with their kaleidoscopic arrangement. Oddly enough, while the track is heavy with powerful instrumentation, Moesker’s vocals add softness and smoothness to the song. The thing is, while the female vocals bring light femininity to ‘Port Henry’, Verhoef’s gruff vocals retain an overwhelming masculinity in its complex melody.
Known for passionate and engaging melodies, Scarlet Mill continues to intrigue audiences with its stories. Take from their second album, ‘Port Henry’ follows a male protagonist who finds himself in the harbour of Port Henry after a gruelling journey. Gruff, rough and rugged vocals enhance the retrospective tale; however, the song is merely a link in a timeless tale yet to be shared in the group’s upcoming releases. Filled with eclecticism, haunting and hypnotic sentimentality, Scarlet Mill grabs your heart leaving you breathless with ‘Port Henry’.
For more from Scarlet Mill check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
