Laurel Halo
Biography
**Laurel Halo**
Laurel Halo's 2012 masterpiece "Quarantine" stands as one of the most polarizing and ultimately influential electronic albums of the 2010s, a haunting meditation on isolation that seemed to predict the emotional landscape of the following decade. The album's ghostly vocals floating over fractured beats and dissonant synthesizers created something entirely new – not quite ambient, not quite pop, but utterly mesmerizing in its alien beauty. It was this bold artistic statement that established Halo as one of electronic music's most uncompromising voices, willing to sacrifice immediate accessibility for lasting emotional impact.
Born Laurel Anne Chartow in 1985 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the artist who would become Laurel Halo grew up in a household where experimental music was as common as Top 40 radio. Her early exposure to everything from classical composition to Detroit techno would prove formative, though her path to music wasn't initially direct. After studying photography at the University of Michigan, she found herself drawn increasingly to sound, beginning to experiment with field recordings and electronic manipulation that would later become hallmarks of her approach.
Her musical journey began in earnest in the late 2000s with a series of limited-edition releases that caught the attention of underground electronic music circles. These early works, characterized by their dreamlike textures and unconventional structures, hinted at the revolutionary approach she would later fully realize. The 2010 EP "King Felix" on the Hippos in Tanks label marked her first major statement, blending ethereal vocals with abstract electronic compositions that defied easy categorization.
"Quarantine" represented a quantum leap forward, earning widespread critical acclaim despite – or perhaps because of – its challenging nature. The album's exploration of digital alienation and emotional disconnection resonated deeply with critics and adventurous listeners, earning spots on numerous year-end lists and establishing Halo as a major force in experimental electronic music. Songs like "Years" and "Tumor" showcased her ability to find beauty in discomfort, creating deeply affecting music from seemingly disparate elements.
Following "Quarantine," Halo continued to evolve, releasing "Chance of Rain" in 2013, which saw her moving toward more abstract, instrumental territories. This shift demonstrated her refusal to be confined by any single approach, a theme that would define her entire career. The album's jazz-influenced improvisations and complex rhythmic structures showed an artist constantly pushing boundaries, even her own.
Her 2015 release "In Situ" marked another dramatic evolution, this time toward more structured, almost pop-adjacent compositions. Working with live musicians and incorporating elements of R&B and jazz, the album proved her versatility while maintaining the distinctive aesthetic sensibility that made her work instantly recognizable. The collaboration with musicians like Eli Keszler and Julia Holter expanded her sonic palette considerably.
"Dust" (2017) and "Raw Silk Uncut Wood" (2018) continued this trajectory toward more organic, collaborative approaches while never abandoning the experimental edge that defined her work. These releases showcased her growing confidence as both a composer and bandleader, incorporating everything from free jazz to minimalist composition techniques.
Throughout her career, Halo has been equally active as a DJ and curator, her sets known for their eclectic range and seamless blending of genres. Her residency at Berlin's Berghain and performances at festivals worldwide have cemented her reputation as one of electronic music's most thoughtful selectors, capable of creating narrative arcs across vastly different musical styles.
Her influence extends far beyond her recorded output. As electronic music has increasingly embraced complexity and emotional depth over simple dancefloor functionality, Halo's fearless approach to experimentation has inspired countless artists to pursue their own unconventional visions. Her work has been cited as influential by artists ranging from ambient composers to pop experimentalists, proving the lasting impact of her artistic choices.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Laurel Halo continues to evolve as both a solo artist and collaborator. Her recent work suggests an artist hitting her creative stride, combining the experimental fearlessness of her early work with the compositional sophistication developed over more than a decade of constant evolution. In an electronic music landscape often dominated by formulaic approaches, she remains a vital voice for artistic risk-taking and emotional honesty.
