Love Spells Finds Romance in Microplastics on New Single “Lovers Only”

From the moment Love Spells counts down the time signature “1, 2, 3, 4…,” one might be momentarily duped into believing a Mazzy Star revival is unfolding—but “Lovers Only“ is the brainwork of the one-person led powerhouse Sir Taegen C’aion Harris, a self-described “mystic lovechild.”

While the title “Lovers Only” suggests an order of exclusivity, the song does anything does ostracize its listeners. Instead, it tells a tale all too familiar to those of us attune with our vulnerability, who have found ourselves on the path of unrequited love. While this experience is known to be alienating, the one true comfort lies in how many people have been, are, and will walk this path with us. While Harris’ songwriting is virtuous, its production is the idyllic creation of Danny Parra & Boy Deco, who have had their hand in a number of successful artists’ baskets like Dora Jar, Tierra Whack, UMI, and Deb Never.

Admittedly, I’m a lyrics-first person. The words will usually stand out to me before production but on “Lovers Only,” the instrumental is so entrancing and soothing, its listeners would not find it hard to drift into their own fantasies while this built-in score plays in the background. Led by guitar chords, seamlessly met with the syncopated beat of the drums, and dancing plucks of the bass, an idyllic yet melancholy soundscape is formed. While the song would surely be a knockout as is, the synths act as a garnish to completely paint this dream-like scenario to its audience. 

Harris himself boasts about being a child of the internet. While the self-awareness in his songwriting is timeless, a line like “I’m caught/ In the plastic of your sea/If I was him would you save me,” feels like something only a person raised on the world-wide-web could write, and it’s poignancy takes a minute to set in. There’s the frequent tropes of comparing the one that broke your heart to the devil or ambiguous dark spirits, but comparing your unrequited love to a polluted ocean is next level shade and personally, I’m inspired. 

Fans of this single will be excited to learn that Love Spells’ forthcoming EP, The Love I Showed You Was Yours To Keep, is out later this year. Additionally, Love Spells will be supporting Sharon Van Etten on her 21 date US tour in April & May with stops at The Wiltern, Brooklyn Steel & more. 

“Lovers Only” is a great reminder that The Heartbreak Club exists for a reason and though the walk of the Lover may be a solitary one, we are not walking it alone.

Words by Ilana Rubin