BANKS takes us to Hades and back with ‘Love Is Unkind’

Photograph for Off With Her Head by Charlie Denis

BANKS with producer Lil Silva (@hernameisbanks)

In 3 minutes and 33 seconds, Jillian Rose Banks - mononymously known as BANKS - rewinds her memories to an emotionally strenuous relationship. As the song opens, BANKS begins the reflection of these memories - like a tape, she plays back her time with this ex-lover. 

“Been to hell, then to Hades and back,

…we were undercover while under covers”

These themes play right into her strengths - music is a safe space for her, and allows her to sing about the dark aspects of her relationships. Encapsulated with vocal distortion and fresh synths, the instrumentation of this track takes us into the same emotional reflections of the lyrics. As if she’s leading us, by hand, to hell.

BANKS crashed into the dark R&B world with the release of her debut album, ‘Goddess’, in 2014. Over the last eleven years, she has proven herself to be a brilliant voice in this space. She maintains the heavier, moody atmosphere of dark R&B, but punctuates with her signature distortion, deep bass, and reverb. While she is unafraid to experiment, dabbling in elements of pop, folk, and hip hop, her music stands completely on its own. 

With the release of Love Is Unkind, (preceded by I Hate Your Ex-Girlfriend (feat. Doechii) and Best Friends), BANKS has shown us she has perfected her art and knows how to show her depth as an artist. Working with producer Lil Silva, whom she worked with back in 2012 on her song Work, BANKS has discussed how this song, and her upcoming album, ‘Off With Her Head’, will be made with the same core producers and musicians she worked with on ‘Goddess’. Somehow, she was able to tap into three different genres while maintaining her trademark. Love Is Unkind shows listeners that ‘Off With Her Head’, will be vulnerable, self-doubting, reflective - a fresh addition to her already impressive catalogue.

Stream Love Is Unkind below.