Rooted Reflections: Hayley Heynderickx finds beauty in the quiet growth in Seed of a Seed
Her long-awaited second LP invites us to step away from the noise and reconnect with the quiet.
It’s very easy to scroll through our phones and when we next look up the day has passed. To remove ourselves from boredom we put on a podcast or get lost in the worlds of others shared online, but with Haley Heynderickx’s marvelous new album Seed of a Seed, we’re gently pulled from the artificial light of our devices and guided toward a quieter, more intentional space.
Seed of a Seed feels like stepping barefoot into a quiet forest at dawn, dew still clinging to the air. The album is a call back to the soil, to the feel of earth between your fingers, to the kind of self-reflection that is becoming rare in an era of constant notifications and crowded schedules. Her songs evoke scenes of wildflowers growing unnoticed by highways, of rivers winding patiently through valleys, and of seeds breaking open underground, their growth unseen but certain.
The opener Gemini is a whirlwind of self-critique accompanied by enticing and hypnotic guitar rhythms. From the first track, the album’s constant reflection between city and nature is prevalent with her addiction to her phone and staring at a purple clover.
This reflection is weaved into the album, the Portland folkie creates vivid images of nature all the while expressing her discomfort at city life. Foxglove explores this with her asking “What is your dream…is it the city life”.
Heynderickx teaches listeners that the small things are what bring you the most comfort as you grow older in Sorry Fahey. From making ginger tea, to an old couch its these things that you “learn to appreciate”.
Haley Heynderickx’s beautiful arrangements award repeat listens, from her seductive strums to the layer of bass, cello on Jerrys Song. As always Hayley’s vocals are beautiful, softly delivered, carrying a tender vulnerability that pulls listeners in.
Seed of a Seed doesn’t just tell stories; it’s a reminder that growth is often invisible and unglamorous but no less profound. For listeners willing to lean into its gentle power, the album offers a tender reminder that sometimes the simplest, most grounded moments are the ones that grow the deepest roots. Haley Heynderickx has crafted a folk album that feels like a friend, wise and warm, meeting us wherever we are on our journey.