Bells Atlas’ latest offering ‘The Mystic’ digs further into their soulful buoyancy to explore both sound and storytelling. Sandra Lawson-Ndu, Douglas Stuart, Geneva Harrison, and Derek Barber stumbled upon a new process for songwriting– of which included sampling grainy phone recordings of the band’s drummer — that elevates Bells Atlas’ already unique approach to psychedelic R&B. The spontaneity of The Mystic’s creative process results in a raw, cosmic sound that is mirrored in its lyrics. The record is a sci-fi fantasy of two first-generation Nigerian American women coming to terms with a mental health diagnosis, and at the same time, a very universal exploration of how we make sense of reality. Today the band share their video for the album’s title track.

Of the video, the band offers:

“The Mystic imagines the idea of prayer outside of a religious context. It’s framed as a casting out of hope to something that exists beyond one person. I also wanted to remember that parts of prayer and parts of ritual are rooted in these beautiful common human desires to connect, find grounding, ease pain, and express care. I think there’s a peace in being able lean into something and feel supported, whether it’s the foundations built from any of our rituals or even the faintest belief in something outside of yourself.”