Under the moniker Youth Lagoon, Powers has unveiled a trilogy of studio albums, each offering a distinct introspective journey into his personal hopes and fears. His inaugural creation, "The Year of Hibernation," exposes the intricacies of anxiety and psychological dysphoria. This debut album serves as a candid portrayal of the labyrinthine corridors of the mind, providing listeners with a unique window into Powers' innermost sentiments.
Powers' sophomore release, "Wondrous Bughouse," ventures into the realm where the physical and spiritual intersect. Here, Youth Lagoon's music metamorphoses into an otherworldly landscape, a sonorous exploration mirroring the complex interplay between tangible reality and ethereal dimensions.
In a departure from his earlier themes, "Savage Hills Ballroom," the conclusive chapter of Youth Lagoon's trilogy, embraces discomfort rather than evading it. This album germinated from Powers' nocturnal explorations through the suburbs of Idaho, reflecting society's tendency to present flawless facades. "Savage Hills Ballroom" showcases a musical and visual evolution, born from an unflinching engagement with one's vulnerabilities and blemishes. The album captures Powers' realization that genuine human connection thrives not in perfection, but in the shared experience of imperfection.
Powers' decision to draw the curtains on the Youth Lagoon project in early 2016 marked a pivotal juncture in his artistic odyssey. He characterized the trilogy as a journey through an isolated and solitary spectrum, a terrain he had outgrown. This denouement signaled Powers' yearning to explore new creative vistas beyond the confines of his past work.
The trajectory of this evolution gains poignancy when juxtaposed with a personal tragedy. While touring Europe, Powers received the shattering news of a dear friend's drowning in a local river. This heartbreaking incident catalyzed a profound shift in Powers' songwriting approach. He came to recognize the intricate threads that bind humanity and the uniqueness found within flaws. This awakening infused "Savage Hills Ballroom" with a renewed perspective, giving birth to an album that encapsulates the beauty emerging from embracing vulnerabilities.
The collaboration with co-producer/engineer Ali Chant for "Savage Hills Ballroom" prompted Powers to cross continents, relocating to Bristol, UK. The album's creation unfolded meticulously within Toybox Studios, a subterranean recording haven housed in a vaulted Georgian basement. This transformative experience in an unfamiliar land fueled the evolution of Youth Lagoon's sonic identity and creative vision.
Sleep Paralysis
Youth Lagoon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stranger, tell me, I don't really
See what I, am seeing now
The body that escaped from the lake where she drowned
Killer kiss, kiss that takes
The breath away from every evil
You have made, a grave mistake
And sleep paralysis is showing me what it is.
Planted in my brain I'll wait for you to come home
Darkest space are to you, as it is to me
Shepard I've been lost too many times to be free
Through the house, walking fast
Stranger, tell me, I don't really
See what I, am seeing now
The body that escaped from the lake where she drowned
The lyrics of "Sleep Paralysis" by Youth Lagoon depict a surreal and disturbing experience that is both dreamlike and nightmarish. The song begins with the singer moving through a house quickly, feeling disoriented and confused. They encounter a stranger who they ask for help, but the stranger only adds to their confusion by showing them something that seems impossible to understand. The singer sees a body that has escaped from a lake where someone drowned, and they struggle to make sense of what they are witnessing.
The lyrics then shift to a description of a "killer kiss," which seems to be a metaphor for something overpowering and menacing. The singer suggests that this kiss has led to "every evil" that has occurred, implying that it is responsible for all of the horrors that they are experiencing. They seem to be paralyzed by this experience, unable to move or comprehend what is happening around them. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is waiting for someone to come back, but it is unclear who this person is or what their significance might be. The song ends on a disturbing note, with the singer still trapped in a state of confusion and fear.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sleep Paralysis" are deeply unsettling and suggest a sense of helplessness and confusion that is difficult to shake. The dreamlike quality of the song, combined with its haunting melody, makes for a truly haunting listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the house, walking fast
I am rushing through the familiar surroundings.
Stranger, tell me, I don't really
I am being asked by an unknown voice to explain my experience.
See what I, am seeing now
I am witnessing something inexplicable and unsettling.
The body that escaped from the lake where she drowned
I am haunted by the image of a corpse that emerged from the water.
Killer kiss, kiss that takes
I am recalling a dangerous and intense encounter.
The breath away from every evil
I am acknowledging the harmful consequences of my actions.
You have made, a grave mistake
I am owning up to my past misdeeds.
And sleep paralysis is showing me what it is.
I am recognizing the significance of this condition as it affects me.
Let it be on into space, I want
I am seeking to escape my current state of being.
Planted in my brain I'll wait for you to come home
I am hopeful for a return to normalcy in my life.
Darkest space are to you, as it is to me
I am acknowledging the shared struggles and experiences of others.
Shepard I've been lost too many times to be free
I am realizing that I may never be completely liberated from my own circumstances.
Through the house, walking fast
I am once again quickly traversing through my surroundings.
Stranger, tell me, I don't really
I am requesting assistance from an unseen presence once more.
See what I, am seeing now
I am still grappling with the traumatic sights before me.
The body that escaped from the lake where she drowned
I am still haunted by the macabre image of a corpse in water.
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PEPECADENA23
Actually had sleep paralysis after this song, 10/10
@AnabelleDewi
❤
@PEPECADENA23
Epic!