Shpongle's first track, "Vapour Rumours", was released on TIP Records' Infinite Excursions compilation in 1996. Their debut album, Are You Shpongled?, was released in 1998 on Twisted Records. On 9 September 2014, Posford confirmed beginning work on a sixth album, which was eventually announced as Codex VI and set for release in October 2017. On 3 October, even before the release of Codex VI, the duo announced via a Facebook video that they have begun working on their seventh studio album.
Posford is generally responsible for the synthesizers, studio work, and live instrumentation, while Raja Ram contributes broad musical concepts and flute arrangements. Raja Ram stated in an interview that "Shpongle" is an umbrella term for feeling positive and euphoric emotions. Shpongle's music is heavily influenced by psychedelic experiences and frequently makes use of sonic textures that approximate psychedelic states as well as vocal samples relating to consciousness expansion, hallucinations, and altered states of awareness. For example, the track "A New Way to Say 'Hooray'", contains a vocal sample of Terence McKenna describing the effects of DMT.
A New Way to Say 'hooray'
Shpongle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there is this...
There is a cheer; the gnomes have learned a new way to say 'hooray'.
The walls, if such they be, are crawling with geometric hallucinations.
And so, like jeweled self-dribbling basketballs, these things come running forward, and what they are doing with this visible language that they create is they are making gifts! They are making gifts for you and they will say...
The lyrics of Shpongle's song A New Way to Say Hooray describe the sensory experiences of someone who has taken a third toke (a reference to smoking a psychoactive substance) and is experiencing the effects. The description is of a surreal and psychedelic experience, where the walls are crawling with hallucinations that are brightly colored, iridescent, and highly reflective surfaces. The description of the space is also machine-like and polished, with a throbbing energy that is noticeable. However, what captures the attention of the person is that the space is inhabited, and creatures that resemble jeweled self-dribbling basketballs come forward and create gifts using a visible language.
The lyrics are a vivid description of a drug-induced hallucination, but they can also be read as a metaphor for an experience of deep connection and creativity. The space that the person finds themselves in is described as highly polished and machine-like, which could symbolize the rational, linear thinking that often characterizes everyday life. However, the creatures that emerge bring with them a visible language, indicating the emergence of a different kind of communication and creativity that is less tied to rational thought. The gifts that the creatures create for the person could be seen as a metaphor for the gifts that can emerge when we open ourselves up to different ways of thinking and being.
Line by Line Meaning
So, you take, let us assume, a third toke; long and slow.
Assuming you've taken a third puff of something, inhale it deeply and gradually.
You vaporize, and you take it in, and in, and in...
As you vaporize the substance, continue to inhale it more and more deeply.
And there is a sound, like the crumpling of a plastic bread wrapper, or the crackling of the flames.
You'll hear a sound resembling crinkling plastic or crackling flames.
And a tone... A tone.
Along with the sound, there will be a distinct musical note or tone.
And... There is a cheer; the gnomes have learned a new way to say 'hooray'.
In this hallucinogenic state, you'll hear what seems like cheers from gnomes, who have discovered a unique way to express excitement.
The walls, if such they be, are crawling with geometric hallucinations.
The walls (or whatever surfaces surround you) will appear to be covered in complex, kaleidoscopic designs.
The walls, if such they be, are crawling with geometric hallucinations. Very brightly coloured, very iridescent. Deep sheens and very highly reflective surfaces. Everything is machine-like and polished and throbbing with energy.
These hallucinations will be vivid and mesmerizing, with brilliant hues, iridescence, and a metallic, pulsating quality, like they were machined with a high polish.
But that is not what immediately arrests my attention. What arrests my attention is the fact, that this space is inhabited.
However, the most captivating aspect is that this space (which may be a room or other area) is occupied by other beings.
And so, like jewelled self-dribbling basketballs, these things come running forward, and what they are doing with this visible language that they create is they are making gifts! They are making gifts for you and they will say...
Creatures that appear like basketballs covered in dazzling jewels will emerge and create objects using an unfamiliar, visual language. These gifted entities will address you with words of their own making.
Contributed by Taylor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnytsunami7983
It's not a secret that you can talk with Terrence on five dried grams in silent darkness. He was and in a way still is pure manifestation of love and understanding
@lostsynapse
Terence McKenna & Shpongle FTW
@Eryan724
and reading this comment in morgan freemans voice
@Eryan724
omg if terencfe mckenna and morgan freeman had a child it would be the most eloquent motherfucker ever!
@Odd_Combo
@@Eryan724 That would be an ugly creature.
@macelius
@@Odd_Combo Ugly, or beautiful?.. lol
@Odd_Combo
@@macelius I think it would transcend the meaning of both.
@adamcallaghan2135
I miss these days
@simonkeel3030
what a perfect tribute to Terence Mckenna, epic song
@HevyDev
Very underrated, i wonder if they ever played it live.