Babeheaven
Babeheaven | |
|---|---|
 Babeheaven performing at Village Underground, London, 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 2016–present |
| Members |
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Babeheaven is a British music duo known for their blend of trip-hop, indie, and electronic influences. Formed in West London, the band consists of vocalist Nancy Andersen and instrumentalist Jamie Travis. Their music is characterised by ethereal vocals, lush instrumentation, and introspective lyricism.
History
[edit]Babeheaven was founded in the mid-2010s, with Andersen and Travis developing their sound through a shared appreciation for soul, electronic, and alternative music. Andersen, the daughter of a musician, grew up immersed in music, while Travis' father a prominent figure in the music industry. The duo gained early recognition through independent releases and live performances, eventually drawing attention from major music publications.
In 2019 the band released Suspended Animation. Its cover artwork by photographer Joyce Ng was acquired by the National Portrait Gallery for its permanent collection in 2023.[1]
Their debut album, Home for Now, was released in 2020 to positive reviews from Pitchfork[2] and The Guardian highlighting them as "one to watch[3]".
The band's follow-up album, Sink Into Me (2022), further solidified their presence in the indie music scene. Publications such as NME[4] praised its atmospheric production and emotive songwriting.
Musical Style and Influences
[edit]Babeheaven's music blends elements of dream pop, trip-hop, and alternative R&B, drawing comparisons to artists such as Portishead and Cocteau Twins. Andersen's evocative vocals and Travis' layered instrumentation contribute to a sound that is both melancholic and immersive. Their songwriting often explores themes of nostalgia, relationships, and personal introspection.
Notable Performances and Collaborations
[edit]The band has performed live sessions with Boiler Room[5][6], BBC at Maida Vale[7] COLORS and collaborated with various artists, including Navy Blue and Deem Spencer. They have also worked with directors and visual artists to create striking music videos, including Frank Lebon, Tegen Williams and Raf Fellner. Babeheaven has toured in support of acts such as The Japanese House, Nilüfer Yanya and Loyle Carner, further expanding their reach within the alternative music scene.
Fashion and visual aesthetics are integral to Babeheaven's identity, leading to collaborations with brands like Ganni[8] and features in Vogue.[9]
Discography
[edit]Studio Albums
[edit]- Home for Now (2020)
- Sink Into Me (2022)
EPs
[edit]- Circles (2019)
- Suspended Animation (2019)
Singles
[edit]- "Heaven / Friday Sky" (2016)
- "Moving On" (2016)
- "Your Love / It's Not Easy" (2017)
- "November" (2019)
- "Human Nature" (2020)
- "Craziest Things" (2020)
- "Don't Wake Me" (2021)
- "The Hours" (2022)
- "Make Me Wanna" (2022)
- "4 Days" (2023)
Critical Reception
[edit]Babeheaven has been well-received by music critics, with praise for their atmospheric production and emotive lyricism. Clash Magazine described their work as "cinematic and deeply personal[10]," while The Independent highlighted their ability to blend genres seamlessly. Additional coverage has come from Nylon,[11] The Line of Best Fit,[12] Vice,[13] The Forty-Five,[14] The Skinny,[15] and Bricks Magazine,[16] reinforcing the band's notability.
References
[edit]- ^ "Nancy Andersen - National Portrait Gallery". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Skala, Jemima. "Babeheaven: Home for Now". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Morris, Damien (2020-12-12). "One to watch: Babeheaven". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Krol, Charlotte (2021-12-06). "Babeheaven share breezy new single 'Don't Wake Me'". NME. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Babeheaven | Gurls Talk x Boiler Room: IWD. Retrieved 2025-02-24 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Boiler Room (2021-03-11). Babeheaven | Boiler Room x GURLS TALK: International Women's Day 2021. Retrieved 2025-02-24 – via YouTube.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 - Huw Stephens, Babeheaven in session, Babeheaven in session". BBC. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Vogue (2021-08-16). "What London's Ganni Girls Wore To Celebrate Copenhagen Fashion Week On Home Turf". British Vogue. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Hall, Carmen Rosy (2019-09-26). "Before Bed: Babeheaven Singer Nancy Andersen Self-Soothes With Fruit Peels and Harry Potter". Vogue. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; ClashMusic (2022-04-06). "Babeheaven On Their Creature Comforts". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Babeheaven's New Music Video "Moving On" Is Meant To Confuse". Nylon. 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ "In Conversation: Babeheaven | Interview". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Bassil, Ryan (2018-11-27). "Babeheaven Pair Dark, Intimate Songs with Warm IRL Personalities". VICE. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ French-Morris, Kate (2020-11-18). "Babeheaven – 'Home For Now' review: summoning emotion to their sultry spaced-out world". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ "Babeheaven album review: Sink Into Me - The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Reid, Madeline (2022-05-15). "Babeheaven Hone Their Sound On Sink Into Me". BRICKS Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-24.