Sonically speaking, that comes through on the LP immediately. Perhaps bolstered by the ongoing construction occurring next to the studio while the record was being made, the sense of force and urgency propelling the record is evident. Patrick Adams’ driving bass and plodding drums in the title track usher in this new guitar-friendlier Blouse; more direct and clearer of vision, but still mysterious and beautiful.
Jacob and Patrick’s Pacific Northwest alt-rock roots (filtered through post-punk and V/U) are a great counterpoint to ex-pat Southern CA transplant Charlie Hilton’s Cohen/Patti/Nico singer/songwriter nature. The dichotomy of those two forces on tracks like “No Shelter” and “1000 Years” are at the core of Imperium. These are delicate songs from the perspective of a valley girl who grew up with gurus and ashrams played by indie lifers on a steady diet of NEU! It makes it all the more understandable to have showers of acoustic guitars and (real, not synthesized) cellos interrupted by fuzz guitar.
But these interruptions aren’t a bad thing, they’re what makes Imperium the great record it is. “In a Feeling Like This” describes it perfectly, it’s a strange place that you’re weirdly familiar with. Warm but also kind of spooky and imposing, you want to stay there for longer than you’re invited. Thankfully, it’s ok to flip it over and listen to it again.
Ghost Dream
Blouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
always seem to find my path
is it just the neighborhood
or are they around for good.
Ghost Dreams
wandering into my sleep
do they want to live or die
Cold air
coming from a place out there.
is it just the atmosphere
are we not alone in here.
And my heart beats faster at night
I can't open my eyes
Ghost Dream
Following me
Ghost Dream
Tonight
let's sleep in a field of white
nothing but the sand and sea
nothing waiting up for me.
We'll try
to trap the moon against the sky
we won't let the dark in here
we won't let the dark come near.
And my heart beats faster at night
I can't open my eyes
Ghost Dream
following me
Ghost Dream
The song "Ghost Dream" by Blouse speaks about the haunting feeling of being followed by something unknown. The singer describes how black cats seem to always cross her path, and wonders if they are mere coincidence or if they serve as a sign of something ominous. The chorus speaks of ghost dreams that visit her at night, leaving her questioning if they represent the afterlife or a sense of impending doom.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's fear, mentioning the cold air that seems to come from an unknown place. She once again wonders if she is alone or being followed. The chorus repeats the idea of the ghost dreams following her, with the added intensity of her heart beating faster and not being able to open her eyes.
The final part of the song provides a glimmer of hope in the form of sleeping in a field of white with only sand and sea, as if erasing the dark thoughts that had been plaguing her. The singer desires to trap the moon against the sky, refusing to let the darkness come near. Overall, the song creates a haunting and eerie atmosphere while exploring the fear of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Black cats always seem to find my path
I constantly come across bad omens that make me nervous
Ghost Dreams wandering into my sleep
I'm haunted by strange dreams that I can't explain
Do they want to live or die, are we in the afterlife?
I wonder if there's more to these dreams than just my imagination
Cold air coming from a place out there
I feel a presence beyond my understanding
Is it just the atmosphere, are we not alone in here
I sense something otherworldly around me
And my heart beats faster at night, I can't open my eyes, Ghost Dream following me, Ghost Dream
These haunting visions leave me feeling scared and restless
Tonight, let's sleep in a field of white
I want to escape my fears and find peace
Nothing but the sand and sea, nothing waiting up for me
I hope to find solace in the emptiness of the open space
We'll try to trap the moon against the sky
I want to hold onto a sense of beauty and wonder
We won't let the dark in here, we won't let the dark come near
I want to keep my fears at bay and surround myself with light
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.