Haelees, the Paris-based shoegaze and noise-pop quartet, brings an international blend of talent and influences to their debut album Coin de L'Oeil. Comprising members from the USA, France, Sweden, and Belgium, the band merges diverse musical sensibilities into a cohesive sound that balances dreamlike atmospheres with the raw intensity of noise. Their debut offers a complex yet immersive listening experience that feels both fresh and timeless within the broader shoegaze and noise-pop genre.
Coin de L'Oeil—which translates to “Corner of the Eye”—is a title that aptly reflects the album's ephemeral nature. The record explores themes of fleeting memories, hidden emotions, and the blur between reality and dream. Each track envelops the listener in layers of shimmering guitars, heavy reverb, and echoing vocals, creating an atmospheric sound that evokes both a sense of nostalgia and forward momentum.
The guitars swell and fade like waves, while the vocals float delicately over the mix, inviting comparisons to genre stalwarts like My Bloody Valentine and Lush. However, Haelees carves out their own identity by incorporating elements of noise-pop, adding a raw edge to the album’s dreamier moments.
Despite the international background of its members, the album feels remarkably cohesive, drawing on the eclectic influences of each individual while maintaining a unified artistic vision. The mix of cultures and musical traditions—ranging from French pop’s lyrical introspection to the Scandinavian penchant for dark, atmospheric soundscapes—gives Coin de L'Oeil a unique edge within the contemporary shoegaze scene.
Haelees' debut album Coin de L'Oeil stands as a bold statement from a band poised to make waves in the indie music world. Their ability to blend lush, expansive sound with an undercurrent of emotional intensity ensures that this album is more than just background music—it demands to be felt as much as heard. For fans of shoegaze and noise-pop, this international quartet is a group to watch, as they bring both innovation and emotional depth to the genre.
