Tolstoys enchant with magical anthem ‘Witches’
The Berlin-based psychedelic pop group get mystical with this Halloween-inspired single.
Photo: Tolstoys
Tolstoys’ latest offering Witches, from their upcoming third album No Limit to Love, works well to craft a uniquely ethereal and trip-hop sound, with healthy rock and folk infusions. The single follows a supernatural theme, which gives it a curious edge.
Starting at a slow pace with the characteristically dreamy vocals of lead singer Ela Tolstova, the simple beat is underscored with a somewhat sinister guitar twang throughout. This sets the psychedelic tone of the track, which works in tandem with the lyrics to build a spooky atmosphere befitting the song’s title. The fine line between sweet and ominous is trodden often: “Love is not out of sight / Let my sweet potion grow your appetite”.
The chorus elevates the song’s mission. It is at once a burst of energy — a sudden break from the established pace to make you take notice. As Tolstova sings “The sky is completely dark / witches are coming out!”, the aura becomes one of mysticism and even hedonism. The instrumentalism here actually puts in mind a bunch of witches dancing around a cauldron to concoct a potion. It is certainly endearing – screams and echoes sound off, adding to the stylistic mood of black magic and sorcery.
The breakdown of the song also puts in mind a siren song, spellbinding sailors at sea, before it makes way for a final chorus with passionate, and haunting, screams.
Witches is a fascinating effort by Tolstoys, captivating in its tone and contrast of styles throughout. From a band who have matured enough to be able to comfortably experiment with their sound, it is only fitting that such a track should be so damn bewitching.
