Dear listeners and readers of Soundville,

Do you know the feeling when you completely lose yourself in the sound, atmosphere, and overall aura of music? When you listen to a new artist for the first time and everything around you flips upside down, and the only thing spinning in your head is “What the hell is this? How is it even legal to be this cool?” And if you want to experience that again, or for the first time, then turn on the self-titled debut album by Thelma’s Dream.

The band is based in Helsinki, Finland, bringing into their sound a dark gothic voice with passion boiling in their blood. Their powerful sound is filled with mystical shoegaze, heavy guitars, gloom dream pop, which whirl uncontrollably into arthouse and abstraction. But the vocals shine a light, pointing the way out of this perfect mystical darkness, because the singer’s voice is unimaginably light, floating through the gloom and gothic grotesque like a memory. I’m absolutely amazed by this dynamic and the balance of their sound, and I suggest you don’t cling to any specific genre or try to analyze the structure of the tracks.

Thelma’s Dream makes music aimed at the subconscious, at emotions like one of David Lynch’s films, where you just have to be in the moment and let your inner sense guide you through the feelings. That’s how the album ‘Thelma’s Dream’ works too. It’s an arthouse abyss you want to fall into with pleasure, and during the fall, you’re caught by textured guitars, steady drum rhythms, and flawless light vocals. I suggest you start listening to ‘Thelma’s Dream’ right now from the very first track, ‘From The Heights’.

Believe me, there won’t be a long intro here to gently prepare you for the storm of sound that’s about to hit. ‘From The Heights’ pulls you in right away with its light synth keys and airy vocals. The track gives you just enough time to settle in, to catch your breath, before the whirlwind of this unique soundscape takes over. And if you feel yourself falling and falling for Thelma’s Dream let it happen. Embrace that pull. Because in the next track, ‘Sofia’, the sound won’t hold your hand. It crashes in with a wave of heavy guitars that melt into this overloaded, crumbling sonic haze. This is where Thelma’s Dream shows how they can create a thick wall of sound, framed by a hazy aesthetic echo and soft pop vocals. It’s mysterious in a way that traps you in inspiration. I couldn’t stop listening, track after track.

Next up is ‘Voices’, wrapped in the fog of what feels like a sensual conversation with your subconscious or with ghosts from the past. What I love about Thelma’s Dream is how the music lets you dream. There’s a cinematic quality here that deepens that sense of escape. I hear my own ghosts in the layered harmonies of ‘Voices’, pulling me gently back into memories and pain, again and again. It’s flawless and hauntingly beautiful. Then comes ‘Rooms’, where soft guitars merge with the singer’s delicate voice. The melody leans toward a more traditional alt rock intro. I can’t skip over the subtle pop inflections in her voice or the swinging indie rock vibe. This change of tone gives you a break a moment of peace, a space of care, love, and safety. And yet, within those shimmering guitars, there’s still that minor-key undercurrent reminding you that even more stunning songs are still ahead.

‘Strange Were The Days’ sounds absolutely mystical, with its slow build and low, rumbling guitars and bass. The vocals flutter through the darkness like a moth in search of light, not yet realizing it is the light, the one keeping the dark from closing its sharp jaws. I love how the dynamics shift in ‘1000 Poems’ and ‘Holier Than This’. The vibrant, swinging rhythm in ‘1000 Poems’ creates something almost danceable, even nearly upbeat, as far as the universe of Thelma’s Dream allows. Then ‘Holier Than This’ hits with full force, diving straight into hypnotic darkness. Guitars roar with dominant power, drums fill every gap between vibrating strings. But when the vocals come in, the melody spreads out and calms. Your thoughts begin to follow that voice, like it’s gently resting a hand on your shoulder, grounding you. This dynamic interplay between the tracks creates a rich, cohesive sound throughout the album. On one level, it’s music to lose yourself in. On another, it’s a conceptual work you can dig into, piece by piece, letting your mind wander through it like a full-blown journey.

The final tracks, ‘How You Wake The Ocean’ and ‘Wildfire’, bring a massive, emotional close to the release. ‘How You Wake The Ocean’ lifts the sound into something airier and peaceful, preparing you for a six-minute descent into the embrace of Thelma’s Dream in ‘Wildfire’. The melody moves slowly, like a river widening into a heavy, distorted current. That creates a hypnotic feeling of total immersion. Let this track unfold. Close your eyes, trust Thelma’s Dream, focus on each beat, and you’ll feel a musical experience that opens something new inside. And when you finally return to the real world, you come back changed. Reborn. Damn. ‘Thelma’s Dream’ is a phenomenal album that deserves a spot in any collection. Add your favorite tracks to playlists, follow Thelma’s Dream. They have so much more coming. And if you’re anywhere near them, don’t miss their live show. I can already tell it’ll be unreal! I love this.

Hey Thelma’s Dream, thank you for putting out such amazing music. I absolutely loved your release. Seriously, I listened multiple times, and every time it overwhelmed me in the best way. I even needed time to pull my thoughts together and find the right words. Listening to ‘Thelma’s Dream’ gave me a genuine wave of inspiration, and I’d gladly do it all over again. There’s so much beauty, so much of your unique sonic vision, your inner world, your strength. This is a flawless release, and I’m going to share it with everyone. Everyone needs to hear this hypnotic sound. I’m your fan, and I want more. Eaaaah!

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With much love,
Soundville