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.
Third Dystopia
Youth Lagoon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In shacks they built by themselves
If winter was any colder then they'd freeze
Everyone is hiding out
All the spirits in the field
All of the houses are sealed
No one is coming or going today
A tempest seen over the cliff
Is set to hit the monolith
It's not much surprise in it coming today
A tempest seen over the cliff
Evil is in the air, I'm not coming out, out, out
Bundled up scared, huddled on the corner of the couch, couch, couch
And Jamie's not here, she is on the other side of town, town
The howling of dogs echo in every inch of the house, house, house
The knock on my door before it collapses to the ground, ground, ground
But Jamie's not here, she is on the other side of town, town
A pause in the speech
All mouths watering
The garden of earth
It blooms in the seed
I welcome the leech
That lived in your birth
The song "Third Dystopia" by Youth Lagoon talks about people living in fear, hiding in shacks that they built themselves. The situation seems critical, with the winter being too cold that people could freeze. The chorus repeats that "everyone is hiding out." The next verse describes an abandoned town, "all of the houses are sealed" and no one is coming or going today. The third verse talks about a tempest seen over the cliff, and something evil is in the air, causing fear and panic. The bridge mentions Jamie, who is on the other side of the town, highlighting that the singer is not entirely alone. The song ends with a cryptic line, "I welcome the leech that lived in your birth."
Overall, the song depicts a bleak situation where people are scared, isolated, and living in a dystopian world. While some interpretations suggest that the song talks about an apocalyptic event occurring, it also alludes to the idea that humans are destroying the planet, and this critical event is the consequence of that destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone is hiding out
People are hiding in self-made shelters, fearing to face winter.
All the spirits in the field
Houses are vacant, with no one coming in or going out.
A tempest seen over the cliff
An approaching storm is expected to hit the monolith.
Evil is in the air, I'm not coming out, out, out
The air carries a sinister feel, causing fear in the artist who is hiding on the couch in terror.
And Jamie's not here, she is on the other side of town, town
The artist's friend, Jamie, is away in another town during the chaos.
The howling of dogs echo in every inch of the house, house, house
The echoes of dogs howling can be heard loudly in the house.
The knock on my door before it collapses to the ground, ground, ground
A knock on the door is heard before the structure of the house falls apart and crumbles.
A pause in the speech
A momentary silence in speaking.
All mouths watering
Everyone is eagerly waiting to hear the next words from the artist.
The garden of earth
A metaphorical reference to the world and nature.
It blooms in the seed
Life and beauty are birthed from small seeds.
I welcome the leech
The artist is open to accepting those who may take from them.
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
May Thu Thu San
I love the vibe your music gives, it's one of a kind. Keep going ♥️
Eumin Kong
Greatest song ever created❤
YenTheFree
Yep