A contemplative, dark yet incredibly captivating comeback...
21 · 11 · 2025
Noah Dillon and Chandler Lucy are the initial creators of a sound and vibe that has emerged at the forefront of underground awareness. Dillon remarked, “When I founded the band, I had a singular goal: to make a mark in the underground. We achieved that by 2019.”
This could be seen as egotism or viewed as self-praise amidst the vast discussions in the music world circulating on the internet. However, he makes a valid observation. Before the emergence of Hedi boys and the phrase 'indie sleaze revival,' The Hellp was gradually developing a sound and vision. A distinctly American perspective: freedom. By combining various sounds and influences, they shaped something fresh and unique, tapping into a sense of youthful urgency and genre flexibility.
‘Riviera’ is an album that has lingered in Dillon's thoughts for eight years. It was only after securing a deal with Atlantic Records and exploring the edges of alternative pop music that the version of The Hellp we recognize today took form. Their label debut, ‘LL,’ was a strategic experiment focused on crafting “bangers.” This approach received critical praise and helped build a robust fanbase enchanted by the blend of electroclash and indie rock. ‘LL’ is relentless and loud, with The Hellp's desire for recontextualization evident throughout the project, from the witch house influences in ‘Shadow’ to the erratic synthesizers and drums in ‘Rllynice.’
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This new album adopts a different stance. ‘Riviera’ is marked by a slower, darker tone. The sound design remains abrasive at times, yet Dillon and Lucy construct an immersive soundscape that feels just as much about ascending as it does about descending. ‘Country Road,’ which references the John Denver classic, is polished and atmospheric. Like much of the album, it serves as a backdrop for long drives and nighttime journeys; intimate, visceral, and occasionally euphoric. The closing track ‘Live Forever’ has become a recent live fixture, embodying the same evocative and sentimental qualities found in the 2021 fan-favorite ‘Ssx.’
‘Here I Am’ features visual artist Maggie Cnossen, who presents one of the catchiest hooks of 2025 with the “From LA to LA, la la la” refrain. This penultimate track on ‘Riviera’ is mournful, presenting a vivid pop sound with subdued electronica while narrating contrasting aspects of Americana. ‘Meridian’ begins with a nod to ‘LL’ opener ‘U,’ featuring an anxious piano motif that gradually builds into a sober pop-rock chorus. It stands out as a definitive moment in the band's catalog. Each element of the track embodies the core essence of The Hellp: genuine hooks, synths that shift from delicate to explosive, and powerful drums. While it might be limiting to distill their sound to just a few signature elements, it is the distinctive character of The Hellp, built upon this foundation, that creates their unique world. Many seek to imitate it, yet Noah Dillon and Chandler Lucy originated this style and continue to excel at it.
8/10
Words: James Mellen
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Noah Dillon and Chandler Lucy are among the pioneers of a sound and vibe that has risen to the forefront of the underground scene. Dillon remarked