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Sometimes, when an artist has established themselves as a known entity, they need an alternative outlet to release a new expression of truth. This is how Sault served Cleo Sol, NERD served Pharrell, and how Shelly serves Clairo.

Formed in 2020, Shelly also consists of Claud, Noa Getzug and Josh Mehling. Best friends with an affinity for bedroom pop and sonic romance, their vibe is honey sweet and soft to touch. Their first ever single “Steeeam” garnered over 125 million streams on Spotify, though that seemingly wasn’t enough of an incentive to evoke them back from the meadow they spawned from… until now.

Shelly 2 is the newest offering from the band, five years since they enchanted the indie pop scene. “Hartwell” and “Cross Your Mind” make up the two-track EP, both nostalgic songs that swell your heart with a sadness you can’t quite pin. “Cross Your Mind” is the soft melancholy that comes from returning home and no longer fitting into your 17-year-old life. “Hartwell” picks up the gusto, though it ultimately maintains that same through line. Perfectly timed with summer settling in, Shelly 2 demands a bike ride and the gentle kiss of time alone.

It’d be wise not to read too much into the unexpected return. Shelly is seemingly a side quest bred from passion, a fleeting hobby to indulge in when time slows enough. Though fans are vocal about wanting Shelly to become something more, half of their allure is their unwillingness to take true form.

Listen to 'Shelly 2' below: