Oh body falling heavenly, land with me tonight
In dust and frost eternally, glisten in the night
Your time on earth so minimal, your wave crashed into mine
I thank you for the memory, I carry you inside
Peeking Through The Noise, the collaborative effort of New York City musicians Crystal Casey and Joseph Beaty, unveils a new four-song EP titled What Will Not Decay?, now available on Bandcamp.
What Will Not Decay? began as four distinct ambient synth performances, each a pure, unaltered moment of mindful meditation. Free from the constraints of rhythm, they created layers over these auditory backdrops. The result is a stream-of-consciousness experience that transcends the physical form, exploring the interplay of creation and destruction. What remains when dualities dissolve?
Their subtle, ASMR-like sound design is best experienced with quality headphones or a well-placed speaker system, which aims to free the listener from worldly attachments, inviting an expansion of inward and outward awareness. Fans of ambient music, noise, Chelsea Wolfe, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, and Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross will find resonance in their minimalism and angelic sound.
Body reflects a poignant farewell to a departed soul, highlighting the ephemeral yet profound impact they had. The imagery of a heavenly body descending, shimmering in dust and frost, evokes a timeless beauty and enduring memory. The speaker conveys deep gratitude for the shared moments and pledges to carry the essence of these memories within.
Lightsake offers a transformative experience of renewal and purity, much like a cleansing rain. Though destruction is expected, it never arrives. The glittering rain and radiant light symbolize the purification and justification of existence, bringing clarity and purpose. The video, created with producer Joseph Butera III of Georgia, began with initial footage recorded in Joseph and Crystal’s home studios. This footage was sent to Butera for AI-driven effects treatment and then further manipulated by Joseph Beaty to evoke a post-apocalyptic, EVP atmosphere.
“Imagine yourself in this post apocalyptical bunker where your only source of entertainment was a small vintage TV running on an oozing battery,” quips Beaty. “You see this vision of light and beauty emerging from the dark on the screen and it gives you this feeling of dread and also hope that better days are to come.”
Bound illustrates a scene of controlled captivity and intricate connection. A wing held in stillness signifies a willing numbness, while the slow drag of teeth reflects a deliberate interaction. Despite efforts to break free, both captor and captive remain intertwined, weaving a complex web. The cold surroundings and repeated unraveling emphasize the inescapable, cyclical nature of their bond.
The Mind delves into the essence of stripping down to the core, uncovering that beneath all layers, only the mind persists. As superficial layers fade away, patterns emerge and time crystallizes what is truly enduring. The focus lies on the elements that do not decay, highlighting the enduring nature of the mind and its constructs. In the video, slow wind sweeps through the serene flatland grass, gently pulling at the glitching figures in the foreground. Here, we witness the interplay of struggle and beauty, love and life—capturing the essence of the human condition.
Listen to the album below and order here.
Peeking Through The Noise began in 2018 when Casey and Beaty connected on Instagram. Their collaboration took shape as they recorded and exchanged files, leading to the creation of solo tracks featuring each other. This evolving synergy naturally progressed into a full-fledged project.
Within a year, Casey and Beaty became Peeking Through The Noise, debuting with their EP, Still Wandering. This was followed by the 2019 EP, A Tone, the 2020 full-length album Skeleton Keys, and several singles. They took a four-year hiatus before releasing What Will Not Decay?.
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