Love Spells has released his first EP since 2022, The Love I Showed You Was Yours to Keep, and it shows a vast progression in Taegen C’aion Harris’ traditional sound. I can best describe his music as reflective, dreamy, and emotionally raw, blending elements of indie rock and psychedelic pop, with his use of soft melodies and hazy production. Much like most of the newer wave of indie music, Love Spells’ music is nostalgic yet modern. The pacing of his tracks is slow, which invites listeners to reflect on themselves and appreciate the music itself. Barely cracking 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Love Spells is a lesser known artist, but draws comparisons to Cigarettes After Sex, with spacey vocals and a sensual atmosphere.
Known for his genre-blurring style, Love Spells blends shimmering dream pop textures with indie rock sincerity, wrapped in a psychedelic haze. This six-track project dives into themes of heartache, emotional surrender, and unreciprocated affection. However, the production and vocal delivery is so delicate, it feels like you’re floating not only through Harris’ emotions, but yours as well. Sonically, the EP is a canvas of soft guitar strums, vintage synth tones, airy percussion, and subtle vocal layering. The production remains understated but immersive, allowing the melancholy in Love Spells’ lyrics to shine without overwhelming instrumentation, which I feel some indie artists rely too heavily on, taking away from the song itself.
At the heart of the project lies emotional vulnerability. Love Spells writes from a place of quiet heartbreak — not explosive or bitter, but reserved and reflective. The lyrics lean into personal confessions that are poetic and minimalistic, which evoke the feeling of spiraling late-night thoughts. Ever experienced those nights where your thoughts seem to circle endlessly? That’s the kind of immersive journey this EP offers—not agonizing, but deeply fulfilling.
Stand-out tracks for me are “Reach Out And Kiss Me”, “Lovers Only”, and “How?”. “Reach Out And Kiss Me” is a gorgeous acoustic-driven track with echoing, reverb-laced vocals and. It’s a desperate call out for love to be reciprocated, elevated by the glistening production. “Lovers Only” focuses on emotional intimacy and offbeat romanticism. The echoey vocals and a steady guitar/bass combo are reminiscent of Cigarettes After Sex. “How?” is perhaps the EP’s most haunting song, as much like “Lovers Only”, it drifts with ghostly vocals and minimalist instrumentation. It feels like a post-breakup lullaby, which is quite the juxtaposition in itself. The echoing leaves the listener with unanswered questions and quiet devastation.
The Love I Showed You Was Yours to Keep is a delicate, emotionally rich project that marks a turning point for Love Spells. With such a brief discography over the past couple years, it baffles me why Love Spells has not released more, but this EP signifies what’s to come. While previous work hinted at his potential, this EP delivers a fully realized sonic identity: romantic, sad, atmospheric, and bold. With sparse yet meaningful production and lyrics that linger long after the last note, it’s a record for anyone who’s ever loved deeply and been left wondering why.
Featured Photo Credit: Dan Franco