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.
Time Travel
Blouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it looked nothing like this
It was a shot I'd never miss
It was a lover I'd never held
I was in the future yesterday
But now I'm in the past
And it keeps taking me back
Time machines can
Be unfortunate
When they're in your head
Time machines can
Be unfortunate
When they're in your head
Never can tell
Where the time machine
Is going to land
Never can tell
Where the time machine is going to
I was in the future yesterday
But it looked nothing like this
It was a lover I never kissed
I was in the future yesterday
But now I'm in the past
And it keeps taking me back
Time machines can
Be unfortunate
When they're in your head
Time machines can
Be unfortunate
When they're in your head
Never can tell
Where the time machine
Is going to land
Never can tell
Where the time machine is going to
I was in the future yesterday
I was in the future yesterday
I was in the future yesterday
I was in the future yesterday
The song "Time Travel" by Blouse is a reflective piece on the idea of time travel and its impact on the human mind. The opening lines declare that the singer has been to the future, but it looked entirely different than what they expected. Instead of the typical Hollywood version of the future, filled with flying cars and silver jumpsuits, it is described as something elusive- "a shot I'd never miss" and "a lover I'd never held," implying that they were not able to fully grasp the essence of what they saw.
The chorus emphasizes the uncertainty and unpredictability of time travel, particularly when it exists within the confines of one's own mind. The pain of nostalgia is also present, as the singer repeatedly lands in their own past, unable to move forward. Ultimately, the song serves as a poignant reminder that our experiences with time may not always be what we hope or expect them to be, and the consequences of time travel, whether physical or mental, can be unpredictable and even uncomfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
I was in the future yesterday
I imagined a place and time that felt like the future, but it was not what I expected.
But it looked nothing like this
The future I imagined was different from what I see around me now.
It was a shot I'd never miss
It felt like a perfect opportunity or experience in that imagined future.
It was a lover I'd never held
There was a person or connection I imagined having in the future that I had never experienced before.
But now I'm in the past
I am no longer in that imagined future and it feels like a missed opportunity.
And it keeps taking me back
I keep dwelling on that imagined future and wishing I could go back.
Like a decision that won't become itself
It feels like I had a choice to make that could have led me to that imagined future, but now it's too late to make that decision.
Time machines can
Metaphor for the power of our imagination to transport us to other times and places.
Be unfortunate
It can be disappointing or painful when our imagined future does not turn out as we hoped.
When they're in your head
When our imagined futures are only in our minds and not reality.
Never can tell
We cannot predict or control where our imagination will take us.
Where the time machine
Referring to our imagination as a way to transport us through time and space.
Is going to land
The future we imagine may not align with reality and can lead to disappointment or a feeling of regret.
Contributed by Emily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.