CASEY WELLS - Beating Heart (Mini-Review)

In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish short reviews at a greater frequency, thereby shining our very small spotlight on more cool music. Without further ado: a cool single.

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Written by: The Administrator

And now for something completely different! On occasion, a project hits the ol' promo inbox that sits well outside the typical listening habits of we slumbering scribes. But! Over the years, we've made a deliberate attempt to whittle down expectations of gene convention here at the Sleeping Village. A good song is a good song, after all, and we're in the business of good songs.

"Beating Heart," the latest dreamy psychedelic-pop single from singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Casey Wells, is a certified good song. Having listened to it no fewer than perhaps 10 times in a row, I feel somewhat qualified to talk it up.

Promo materials mentions Channels-era Tame Impala as a point of comparison, which is a reference point that feels oft-cited but not always accurate. Here, though, I see the vision, both sonically and emotionally. "Beating Heart" is similarly airy and pseudo-carefree, with a subtle underpinning melancholy. It puts on airs of nonchalance, but at the root of the matter, it is in fact quite, uh, chalant. Heartfelt. Emotionally charged. In the words of the artist, it is a track about "having to pull yourself away from seeking closure. It’s the timeless battle between the head and the heart, except it’s to the point where the head is having an intervention with the heart." Not exactly a topic that one might consider "light." Emotional heft swallowed by gentle cloud-floating instrumentation frequently makes for interesting juxtaposition, and here, Casey Wells presents a delicate and ethereal balance.

The synths are rich and crisp and delightfully textured. The vocals are breezy, and when they drop out briefly in the track's midsection, some barely discernible muttering in the background adds a layer of intrigue. "Beating Heart" is a short listen, concise and fluff-free. It is polished and clean--arguably pristine, even. It's a vibe-y song, and while I do wish it was long enough to facilitate a lengthier vibe session, it leaves a tantalizing impression.

Casey Wells - “Beating Heart" was released Jan. 15th, 2026 via Vaguely Vivid Records. Listen to it here!

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Casey Wells can be found at Instagram, Bluesky, Bandcamp
Artwork by: Layla Grace