The Ophelias
Spring Grove
Get Better Records [2025]
A hauntingly graceful reckoning—Spring Grove is The Ophelias at their most focused and fluid.”
Album Overview: Formed in their teenage years in Cincinnati, The Ophelias initially emerged as an “all-girl” group but have since grown into a more inclusive and introspective collective. The band—Spencer Peppet (vocals/guitar), Mic Adams (drums), Andrea Gutmann Fuentes (violin), and Jo Shaffer (bass)—has stayed connected despite living across Ohio, New York, and Maryland. Earlier albums centered on memory, place, and personal reflection. With Spring Grove, their fourth album, they reach a new level of creative cohesion, once again working closely with artist and producer Julien Baker, who previously lent vocals to Crocus (2021). Named after a cemetery in their hometown, Spring Grove is a record of inner reckoning and self-examination. Instead of focusing on heartbreak or romantic collapse, the songs delve into identity, interpersonal tension, and the strange persistence of emotional loops. Old streets, surreal dreams, and embodied experience guide much of the album’s introspection, making it haunting yet never static. The record flows like a conversation between different versions of the self.
Musical Style: While still rooted in chamber-pop, Spring Grove expands its sonic palette. Guitars blur and swell around Peppet’s melodies, while the violin often steps in as the primary melodic voice, replacing traditional lead guitar lines. The rhythm section shifts fluidly—from sparse and delicate to bold and driving—creating dynamic emotional swells. Though built from a small, tight-knit group, the record feels wide and immersive. Each arrangement breathes, and the space allows ideas to unfold naturally without feeling overproduced.
Evolution of Sound: Where Crocus featured a broader cast of contributors and lush layering, Spring Grove narrows its focus to the core four members and a few trusted collaborators. This tighter approach gives the album a sharper creative identity. Julien Baker’s production helps the band refine how emotion is carried through each song’s arc. Instruments interact with newfound purpose—violin parts replace rock-centric leads, and basslines follow melodic patterns often found in classical or even metal music. The result is their most cohesive and fluid record yet.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Lomelda’s emotional detail, early Dirty Projectors’ experimentation, or the indie-rock structures of Horsegirl, Waxahatchee, and Speedy Ortiz will feel at home here. There are also echoes of That Dog’s sharp indie-pop sensibilities and the hushed vulnerability of Phoebe Bridgers. Julien Baker’s influence is woven into the production, adding a depth that will appeal to listeners of her solo work.
Pivotal Tracks: “Cicada” stands out for its slow-burning build and vivid ending, featuring a real cicada field recording that blurs the line between the surreal and the natural. “Salome” is punchy and confident, its rhythm driving the track forward without relying on sheer volume—one of the album’s coolest moments. “Cumulonimbus” captures the uneasy residue of conversations left hanging, using weather as a metaphor for emotional uncertainty. “Parade” maps the push-pull of complicated friendships, while “Forcefed” delivers a raw, bodily confrontation with survival. These songs demonstrate the band’s ability to make quiet moments hit with surprising impact.
Lyrical Strength: Spencer Peppet’s lyrics are sharp and metaphor-rich. She avoids cliché, pulling from memory, local landmarks, literature, and dreams to shape stories that are emotionally honest without tipping into melodrama. Nature and the body appear often as metaphors for shifting identity. Her conversational tone feels grounded and intimate, but there’s always a deeper tension lurking—something that invites listeners back for another pass. Her writing lands with quiet precision and emotional resonance.
Final Groove: Spring Grove is one of The Ophelias’ strongest albums to date—a focused, immersive, and emotionally intelligent record. It trades in over-explained narratives for layered subtleties, showing growth in both songwriting and arrangement. The band’s chemistry has never sounded more in sync, and their continued collaboration with Julien Baker only enhances the record’s clarity and impact. It’s a slow-burner that rewards close attention, offering comfort without easy resolution. As The Ophelias continue to evolve, Spring Grove proves they’ve found their voice—and it’s one worth following wherever it leads next.
THE OPHELIAS REVIEW HISTORY
Crocus (2021)
THE OPHELIAS LINKS
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