HELO

Retrofuturism, outer space and limitless exploration are the central themes of Cesar Quinn's second album, "HELO". On the record, the band (Frederik Daelemans, Thibault Goudket, Neil Claes, Jacob Hus) has shifted from their typical art-rock sound, moving away from the indie and jazz influences that characterized their debut, "Opal", which drew comparisons to King Krule and Alfa Mist. Instead, they incorporate influences from contemporary hip-hop experimentalists like The Alchemist and Armand Hammer, while also revisiting the space jazz of Sun Ra and the ambient probings of Terry Riley.

"HELO" was self-produced by Frederik Daelemans, with co-production contributions from Aram Santy and Youniss. LA-based mixing and mastering engineer Zeroh (associated with Injury Reserve, Liv.e, Pink Siifu) added his hip-hop flair, enhancing the band's sound into a cohesive, sample-inspired experience.

Features play a significant role in "HELO". The first vocal feature is Antwerp artist Youniss on "SMOKE," followed by New York vocalist Semiratruth, who energises "QUASAR." The collaboration with Belgian jazz saxophonist Mattias De Craene, long discussed but never realised on the debut album, finally materialises on "MARS," where he explores a range of saxophones, creating a rich tapestry of sound. The standout feature is undoubtedly Detroit rapper Zelooperz, whose verse and chorus on the title track "HELO" fulfilled a long-held aspiration for the band, given their admiration for his work with The Alchemist and Earl Sweatshirt. Finally, Zeroh lent his deep vocals to the ambient track "BOOTES," further uniting the album.