The Turning Wheel
by Spellling
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 51
  3. Negative: 4 out of 51
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  1. lukascabahug
    Jul 7, 2021
    10
    ahhhhhhh beautiful beautiful. Such luscious instrumentals with perfectly mixed and EQed production. Spellling's vocals are so exciting are personal. Songwriting is a great balance of impressionistic poeticism and nuanced storytelling. I'm so happy Spellling is getting the recognition she deserves
  2. draftword800379
    Jul 7, 2021
    9
    This is cool. Love the arrangements and the detailed, layered production. Her voice is amazing and has a wide range. This album reminds me a lot of Kate Bush and David Bowie. Feels so celestial and fantastical, very imaginative.
  3. shedone
    Jul 4, 2021
    10
    Just beautiful, such an improvement since her previous album, still magic atmosphere played perfectly.
  4. Xar
    Jul 4, 2021
    10
    Spelling mixed all her influences perfectly in her latest LP, great transitions, witchy instrumentals and mesmerising vocals.
  5. julian_b
    Jul 7, 2021
    10
    Incredible atmosphere, instrumentals and vocal performance
    First half is beautiful, second half darker and captivating
    Every track is amazing, my favorites are "Boys at School", "Turning Wheel", "Little Deer" and "Sweet Talk"
  6. Calyb
    Jul 10, 2021
    10
    One of the best albums of the year. I get lost in every song. Albums like this don’t come around very often.
  7. AntonioChelala
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    beyond amazing. modern dramatized theatrical kate bush with her own unique fingerprint on it.
  8. alexxchristt
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    Lost my mind when I heard Little Dear for the first time. Absolutely phenomenal
  9. Dunsweet21
    Jul 4, 2021
    0
    Hm...
  10. DenzelJamie
    Jul 17, 2022
    0
    Mediocre album, but the artist has potential to be a star in the future. 0/10
  11. MKUltra7
    Jul 17, 2022
    0
    This album stinks of mediocrity. The artist did a very shoddy job with this LP.
  12. thepartyison
    Jan 19, 2023
    7
    I understand this is tough on the album. But, I really do not like that Disney ass voice at all. It really is annoying, other than that this album is good. The 7, really impacts on other minor inconveniences that I don't remember at the moment.
  13. Doxxman5
    Sep 21, 2021
    10
    like a traveling carnival ride of Kate Bush, Fiery Furnaces, Bjork, Jane Siberry, Massive Attack, and Tori Amos. Completely in control, and full of captivating Melodies- not quite as masterfully psychedelic as Kramer or Dogbowl, but very close. Every song is uniquely theirs but very different at the same time. Rock music...? If rock music is a menagerie in our childhood dreams.
  14. aldithkailash
    Feb 7, 2022
    10
    A colourful and sublime album, I love every single track in this LP. Spellling managed to blend well experimentation and pop appeal.
  15. hunkpapa81
    Jul 29, 2021
    10
    Probably the most underrated album I've heard in 2021 so far. That this doesn't have a metascore in the 90s and a truly awful album like the new Wolf Alice one does, is completely beyond me.
  16. leumassregor
    Nov 2, 2021
    9
    Beautiful, luscious, rich instrumentals and vocals that'll just reel you in. Spellling gets personal on this record and balances impressionistic poetry and nuanced storytelling. Hints of Bjork and FKA Twigs really come through on this project. Truly beautiful and unique.
  17. EvanKilter
    Aug 2, 2021
    9
    This disney princess is singing a disney movie to us and it hit different, brilliant production, grating vocals but rarely but flawless falsetto. Gorgeous
  18. Geckono
    Mar 1, 2022
    10
    Honestly not a single song on this album is weaker than the other
    they are all amazing in there own merits.
    This album is not only excellent, its near perfect

    fav track: Boys at school
  19. Natey26
    Dec 27, 2021
    10
    A masterpiece, timeless, beautiful, true poetry! Spelling really put her soul in that register
  20. Cyzzyx
    May 18, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. With playful and bright production, The Turning Wheel is an excellent album that has a reminiscent quality that will make your heart spring with joy. Spellling also demonstrates powerful vocal abilities throughout the project, injective every track with life. The production on this album is powerful throughout, with lush instrumentation on nearly every track. The only problem I have with this project is that I felt like some of the songs dragged on a tad too much, but despite this slight dragging the album still feels as complete as any other.

    Favorite Tracks: Little Deer, Turning Wheel, The Future, Awaken, Emperor With An Egg, Boys At School, Magic Act, Revolution, Sweet Talk

    Least Favorite Track: Queen of Wands    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The Wire
    Jun 29, 2021
    80
    It’s not often that an album comes along that feels this loaded with transformative potential. [Jul 2021, p.66]
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Jun 28, 2021
    76
    Slap as many abstract adjectives and kitschy references you want on it, you’re not going to pin The Turning Wheel down. Its ineffability can be its greatest strength.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 28, 2021
    75
    While The Turning Wheel was originally planned for release in September of last year, its whimsical presentation and urgent, socially conscious lyrics give it a timeless feeling.
    Read full review
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