The scene is red with beams of the setting sun
Unfurled again, the colour of daylight runs
Well in time it fades, the burden of our worries gone
I fell into a dream, the mystery of all beyond
Dreams are consciousness playing freely, a state where the boundaries of self dissolve into a fluid tapestry of imagination. In dreaming, we experience a liberation from the constraints of waking logic, discovering truths hidden beneath the waking mind’s incessant chatter. Dreams reveal the profound interconnectedness of all things, showing us that our waking identity is but a role temporarily adopted. Consciousness flows seamlessly between waking and dreaming, reminding us that reality itself is dreamlike, a playful dance where distinctions blur, and unity emerges. We are not separate observers, but integral expressions of one infinite consciousness.
Australia’s Satellite Mile, a project helmed by Ben Love from the sunlit shores of the Gold Coast, boldly traverses musical boundaries, sculpting vivid auditory landscapes inspired by titans such as Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel, and Massive Attack. Produced with Peet Gardner at Brisbane’s So Soap Studios and expertly mixed by the legendary Paul Gomersall, this album unfolds like a richly textured cinematic experience…dreamlike, intricate, and strikingly expansive.
The album opens softly with Hypnagogia, where gentle piano melodies delicately coax listeners into a serene dream state, setting an inviting stage.
Next is the title track, The Water’s Edge surges forth with nocturnal intensity, blending celestial imagery and fluid instrumentation to portray subtle yet profound life transformations. It’s intriguing rhythms dance between organic warmth and electronic precision, capturing the listener’s imagination at every turn.
Disillusion is rhymic and brooding, featuring icy string and bass synths, and guitar strumming that slowly builds to a soar, leading a plunge into existential depths, painting a vivid portrait of human uncertainty and shifting perceptions through imagery of amber-hued mornings and elusive owls. The song skillfully captures the fleeting nature of clarity, threading an alluring mystery through every note.
In Recurring Dreams, listeners experience an exhilarating cycle of déjà vu, guided by mystical imagery and ethereal sounds. It’s a musical spiral where familiar sensations linger tantalizingly just beyond reach, inviting endless contemplation. It’s an intriguing fusion of alt-rock, retro synth, and dream pop sounds, especially the western shoegaze-style guitar sustains and delays, juxtaposed against an irregular drum machine rhythm.
Nowhere bubbles with warm synths and acoustic guitars in an alt-rock reverie that beautifully evokes emotional isolation through introspective lyrics and atmospheric arrangements. Images of tethered souls and distant horizons resonate deeply, yet the track maintains a hopeful undertone, gracefully acknowledging life’s inherent ambiguity and possibilities.
The bittersweet guitar strumming of Limits of Language, a thoughtful acoustic interlude borrowing inspiration from philosopher Alan Watts, offers a moment of introspection, preparing listeners for the dynamic synth-driven journey that follows.
Oneiric blooms with transient beauty and emotional liberation, marked by somber synths and brooding vocal romance, encapsulating fleeting moments of serene contemplation through lush, sunset-soaked imagery. It’s elegant and cinematic — a reflective pause that highlights the blissful tranquility residing just beyond the realm of consciousness.
Driven by the simple new wave melody of classic synth sounds and a minimalist drumbeat, The Weaving Sparrow merges mystical symbolism with surreal sonic landscapes. Guided by avian wisdom through gently gliding vocals, it reflects on life’s impermanence and fragile dreams through vibrant instrumentation and evocative storytelling.
The album continues with the seductive noturne bossa nova of “A Vacant Gaze,” which delves into profound emotional territory, navigating subconscious tensions and existential anxieties with gripping intensity. The song captures an inner quest for acceptance, striking a balance between emotional clarity and profound introspection. Finally, the thoughtul collection of songs concludes gracefully with another instrumental, Hypnapompia, Satellite Mile guides listeners gently back into the waking world.
Overall, this is quite a remarkable album.
Listen to The Water’s Edge below:
The Water’s Edge has been pressed to vinyl by Brisbane’s Suitcase Records. The release will be followed with live performances, with Love joined by former “George” drummer Geoff Green for all future Satellite Mile shows.
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