Boreas

Boreas is the third installment in The Oh Hellos' four-part series of EPs themed after the seasons and the four winds. Released in September 2020, it represents the 'winter' chapter of the cycle. Sonically, it is a departure from the maximalist, 'stomp-and-holler' energy of their debut, opting instead for a more sophisticated chamber-folk approach. The album utilizes field recordings of wind and environmental noise to create a seamless, immersive listening experience. Lyrically, siblings Maggie and Tyler Heath continue their exploration of Hellenic mythology and Jungian psychology, using the character of Boreas to explore themes of harshness, clarity, and the necessity of the 'cold' periods in life. Critics noted the EP's exceptional use of dynamics, moving from whispered intimacy to the band's signature orchestral swells, though here those swells feel more like a storm than a celebration.