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.
No Shelter
Blouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Words lose our minds
The sky is getting crowded
But it's a different kind.
Where is my shelter from this storm
Nothing in nature can make my body warm.
There is no shelter from this kind of cold
Let's get alone again, so far away
Let me show all my friends
And won't even kiss me for a day!
We can't keep anything
. our minds,
The sky is getting clouded
But the clouds are different this time…
Where is my shelter from this storm
Nothing in nature can make my body warm.
There is no shelter from this kind of cold
Give me your body and anything it holds.
Must be a long day so far away
…love my friends,
The lyrics of Blouse's song "No Shelter" appear to describe a sense of confusion and disorientation in the face of change and uncertainty. The opening lines suggest a feeling of instability and loss of control, as the singer laments being unable to "keep anything" and feeling as though words themselves are slipping away from them. There is also a sense of collective anxiety, with the lines "The sky is getting crowded / But it's a different kind" seeming to suggest that the world is becoming more overwhelming and complex in a way that is hard to navigate.
The chorus of the song offers a plea for shelter and comfort, but also acknowledges that there may be no easy solution to the singer's feelings of cold and isolation. The lines "Where is my shelter from this storm / Nothing in nature can make my body warm" convey a sense of desperation and hopelessness, while the final line ("Give me your body and anything it holds") suggests a desire for intimacy and connection as a means of coping with these difficult feelings.
The second verse of the song offers a brief respite, with the singer imagining a moment of escape and solitude with someone they care about. However, this is quickly undercut by the repetition of the earlier lines about losing things and feeling overwhelmed by the world.
Overall, "No Shelter" seems to be a meditative piece that reflects on the challenges of navigating a confusing and rapidly changing world. The song's lyrics convey a sense of restlessness and longing for something tangible to hold onto, while also acknowledging that these experiences may be part of the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
We can't keep anything
We are unable to hold onto anything, things slip away from us.
Words lose our minds
Our thoughts are in a state of disarray and we struggle to articulate them clearly.
The sky is getting crowded
The atmosphere around us is becoming more tense and oppressive.
But it's a different kind.
The situation feels unfamiliar and new.
Where is my shelter from this storm
I am searching for refuge from the chaos in my life.
Nothing in nature can make my body warm.
I am chilled to my core and nothing can provide me comfort.
There is no shelter from this kind of cold
My pain is too deep and there is no escape from it.
Give me your body and anything it holds.
I need the comfort and security of your presence and everything you represent.
Let's get alone again, so far away
Let's escape from our surroundings and be together in a peaceful place.
Let me show my friends
I want to share my happiness with those close to me.
And won't even kiss me for a day!
Your love and affection are so precious to me that even a day without them feels unbearable.
We can't keep anything
Once again, we are struggling to maintain our grasp on things in our lives.
Words lose our minds,
Our thoughts remain jumbled, causing us difficulty in expressing ourselves.
The sky is getting clouded
The anxiety and turmoil in our lives are only intensifying.
But the clouds are different this time…
The current struggles we are facing are distinct from previous ones.
Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jleigh329
Love this song! To me they almost sound like "The Mama's and The Papa's in the 90's". Or even a little "Blondie" too. Obviously NOT in a grunge type way but just the general alt/rock type sound that was pretty popular in the 90's (but that's just me).
nvanborst
This is really amazing, I can't wait to hear the whole album.
SanguisNoxify
They really turned their old sound on its head and I have to say I love it. They pulled it off really well, Figures for a Portland band <3
dustin curtis
I love Blouse!
Kkidzz
Easy chopsteak. You've never in your life have had initial mixed feelings about a new song from a band you love? Sometimes that mixed feeling ends up turning into a deep love..... Often it's songs that, upon first listening ,don't immediately smack us over the head but with repeated listens grow into something amazing.
André
Essa música é o caso, ouvi ela no final de I Feeling Like This e achei interessante. Depois de ouvir algumas vezes comecei e querer ouvir sempre, excelente som.
duhboss1
I just heard this on NPR and I liked it. I felt compelled to look further.
Goadiroth
It's hypnotic
saulomoon
amazig amazing guys :D
Cameron Applegath
This plays at the end of A Feeling Like This, albeit muffled.