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.
The Bath
Youth Lagoon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It teaches me to swim
Watching myself bathe
Without ever going in
The current sings to me
In crowning harmony
A wheel without fail
To watch is not to sink
Your crowd is running over here instead
The village clean far from the beach head
And I'm not with you
The lyrics of "The Bath" by Youth Lagoon are open to interpretation, but they seem to describe the singer's feeling of detachment from society and the world around them. The water represents a source of knowledge or wisdom that the singer is trying to access, but they are unable to fully immerse themselves in it. Watching themselves bathe without ever getting in suggests that the singer is observing their own life from a distance without being fully engaged in it.
The reference to the "current" singing in "crowning harmony" could be interpreted as the metaphorical flow of life and the universe, which the singer is trying to understand. The phrase "to watch is not to sink" suggests that the singer is content to be a spectator rather than a participant in life.
The second half of the lyrics seem to be addressing the coming end of the world, and the singer's sense of isolation from others. The lines "Doomsday's coming let the earth attack / Your crowd is running over here instead / The village clean far from the beach head" suggest that while others are reacting to the impending disaster by fleeing or seeking safety, the singer is choosing to remain apart from society and the chaos that is unfolding.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Bath" suggest a sense of alienation and disconnection from the world around the singer, as well as a desire to understand the deeper meanings of life and existence.
Line by Line Meaning
The water talks to me
I feel a deep connection to the water, as if it has a voice that is communicating with me.
It teaches me to swim
Through this connection, I have learned how to navigate the water as if it were a teacher guiding me.
Watching myself bathe
Although I observe myself engaging in a basic, everyday activity like bathing, I am doing so with a sense of detachment rather than full immersion.
Without ever going in
Despite my fascination and connection to the water, I cannot seem to fully submerge myself in it.
The current sings to me
In addition to listening to the water's voice, I also experience a sense of the natural world's musicality, as I am attuned to the specific sounds of the water's flow.
In crowning harmony
The sounds of the current seem to align and harmonize with each other, creating a sense of unity and beauty.
A wheel without fail
This harmony has a certain cyclical nature to it, much like a wheel that turns consistently without pause or interruption.
To watch is not to sink
By observing the water and its sounds from a safe distance, I am able to maintain my sense of stability and balance, without risking being pulled under.
Doomsday's coming let the earth attack
Despite my connection and fascination with the water, I am aware that it poses certain dangers, especially in the face of natural disasters or other global crises.
Your crowd is running over here instead
In times of crisis, it seems that others are drawn to safety and protection, choosing to gather together rather than face the danger alone.
The village clean far from the beach head
I myself am not with these people, as I prefer not to rely on the safety of others and instead distance myself from danger, feeling more at home in solitude.
And I'm not with you
This distancing not only applies to danger or crisis, but more broadly to my sense of detachment from others and their experiences, as I prefer to observe from a distance rather than participating fully.
Contributed by Jeremiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Valen
This song is so beautiful
Frank Rowland
Hauntingly beautiful mix of instrumental nuances!
Tommy
Love this song, every second
Parumi
It is very beautiful
Lokargento
The codex seraphinianus