Helllhound is a tender collaboration between lovers Cadmar Fitzhugh and Nailah Hunter.

Their album, Here In The Valley, documents their next great journey together: the birth of a child and a move from urban Los Angeles to a remote mountain town in California’s Sierra National Forest.

Released by the Oakland independent label Constellation Tatsu, the album is a series of memories that fade in and out of consciousness. The two artists, intertwined, delve further into one another, parenthood and the peaceful solitude of the natural world while investigating their own selfhood.

Fitzhugh and Hunter composed the songs before, during and after pregnancy.

Centered by a bright harp, gentle fingerpicking on acoustic guitar, slow voices and subtle synthesizers, the album carries an ethereal timelessness, observing the space between conception, birth and the unknown ahead.

The opening title track, “Here In The Valley,” introduces Fitzhugh and Hunter’s world and reveals the couple’s anticipation of the changes ahead and the arrival of their child. Hunter’s voice echoes through the song as if carried by the generations that came before her, as well as those who will follow.

“Downstream” centers on a playful guitar melody, offering a poetic metaphor for the eternal process at hand.

Peaceful guitar fingerpicking defines “There,” offering a meditative glimpse into the artists’ serene world.

“The Pleiades” features a strummed guitar and soothing vocal melodies from Hunter, providing an ode to those who support the mother during pregnancy and birth. In Greek mythology, the Pleiades, companions of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, served as nursemaids and teachers of the infant Dionysus.

“By Sea” expands the album’s dynamic range and sonic texture with a focus on piano melody. Accompanied by voice, the song takes on qualities of a chant, or perhaps a prayer for the near future.

The celebration of nature continues with “Wood Nymph,” expressed through another restful performance of fingerpicked guitar, while “By Land” offers a ballad of piano and voice.

“Venus in Libra” offers a memorable melody performed by plucked strings and accompanied by piano. Likely a celebration of the child’s arrival and their star sign, it describes this newborn as a romantic who values fairness, aesthetics and partnership. They will grow to be skilled diplomats who avoid conflict and seek harmony and balance.

The composition reflects this insight, with a harmonious and balanced performance between instruments that move forward at an emotionally steady pace.

The album ends with “Lullaby,” performed with the crackle of rain on a window and a simple melody, evoking an image of the new family together inside their warm home.

Hellhounds are spectral canine beasts originating from ancient folklore that spans the globe, often serving as guardians of the underworld, graveyards or boundaries between worlds. Whether Cerberus in ancient Greece, Garmr in Norse mythology, Okuri-inu in Japanese lore or the Black Dogs of British folklore, these animals served as guardians and trackers.

These spectral wardens perform a role not unlike new parents, guiding a new life into a new world. Both have protective, nurturing and sometimes restrictive roles.

Despite these similarities, the artists credit the project’s name to their dog Sigge, a spirited husky-Aussie mix who embodies the dual chaos and comfort of living in a secluded valley.

Above all, through gentle performances and tranquil field recordings of domestic life tucked away in a remote corner of the world, Here In The Valley communicates a sense of peace — an acceptance and appreciation for what is, how it is and what will be.

This reflects Hunter’s own practice of yoga, sound healing and guided meditation.

As a musician, Hunter has been releasing meditative music for the past five years and is also the force behind Astral Garden, a bimonthly sound healing show carried by the London-based NTS Radio, while Fitzhugh, known for crafting lush, ambient textures, often collaborates with their partner.

The project also received outside assistance with mixing by Joseph Smith and mastering by Salz Mastering, the album was released April 24. It is available as a digital download, compact disc and cassette, and can be found on major streaming services.

All guitar and synthesizer work was recorded by Fitzhugh, while Hunter handled vocal parts, piano, harp and guitar.

This new work celebrates “many seasons of partnership,” Hunter said.