Seagoth – ‘How To Stay Wide Awake’ album review: a dreamworld of infinite weightlessness
THE SKINNY: When you spend time with any new album, you naturally look for ways to convince yourself that it is better than it actually is. Like a flea market, you often have to sift through some questionable items before you strike gold. Thankfully, How To Stay Wide Awake dismisses that arduous process because it is already great; it knows itself from the off, casting a strong glow of ambient rock. It sounds like a space galaxy projector.
As the name suggests, Seagoth blends the virtuous appeal of swirling shoegaze with the realism of modern coming-of-age. The soundscapes also possess a certain cinematic and video-game aura, which is complemented by the varnished cracks of everyday life. The glossy coating doesn’t distract from the singer’s experiences with self-discovery; rather, it highlights them in a way that doesn’t feel too intrusive or confronting.
This is precisely Seagoth’s talent: How To Stay Wide Awake isn’t there to teach you the secrets of life. It offers insights into one queer person’s journey through psychedelic realms. Queer experiences are unique, of course, and the album reflects this by demanding attention without any sense of threat or aggression lurking beneath the layers.
Some of the themes in the album are hard-hitting as Seagoth tackles identity, suicide, social media, misogyny, and outsider mentality, all through the euphoric lens of hazy dream pop and sustained chords. Perhaps it seems paradoxical at times, but it’s precisely this dichotomy that enables healing. “This album is dedicated to all of the people who can’t take a day off from themselves,” says Seagoth, reminding us all that the darkness we feel can always be brought into the light.
For fans of: Putting on a record just to feel something.
A concluding comment from a neighbour: “I don’t know whether I want to take a nap or turn my entire life around, but can you please turn it down.”
How To Stay Wide Awake track-by-track:
Release Date: April 12th | Producer: Seagoth | Label: Bytes
‘Eternity’: Although the concept of eternity is usually associated with an infinite circle, ‘Eternity’ largely represents the start for Seagoth and a good one at that. As the album opener, ‘Eternity’ delivers on its promise of staying with you, with the last notes of its ambient beats offering a piece of Seagoth that you can take, cherish, and learn from. [3.5/5]
‘Find the Time’: During the writing process, Seagoth realised that they had been neglecting a lot of thoughts and emotions that were a natural part of the human condition. ‘Find the Time’ urges you to slow down and think about yourself for the first time. How do you feel? ‘Find the Time’ prompts you to find out. [3/5]
‘Queen’: Any song “about the prevalent and constant demoralisation young women have to face in society” is expected to be a good one, but ‘Queen’ actually delivers when it comes to charged indie-pop anthems. “She won’t want to hear about it,” Seagoth sings, reminding the listener that a woman’s life is nobody’s but her own. [3.5/5]
‘Internet Cafe’: Social media is a plague. We all know that. But what about the tangible impact it has on peoples’ lives? According to Seagoth, this piece was influenced by actor Peg Entwistle, who jumped from the Hollywood sign in 1932. “It reminded me of internet culture today,” says Seagoth, in what might just be the most symbolic and poignant reference in a psychedelic pop-punk song. The fleeting instrumental in the middle invites your mind to ponder that sentiment, marking an impactful listen. [4/5]
‘Methuselah’: The beauty of How To Stay Wide Awake is that even if you’re unsure of a song’s meaning, you’ll still find enjoyment in the euphoria it emulates. ‘Methuselah’ is a stunning addition to the album, inviting attention but not commanding it, resulting in a sparkling shimmer of a track that fills the untouched corners of your mind. [3.5/5]
‘Lava Lamp’: Showcasing Seagoth’s more obvious vocal abilities, ‘Lava Lamp’ feels a touch more experimental than the preceding songs, with arrangements that are more easily stripped back and picked apart. The rock influences come to the fore, too, which gives the track an even grittier edge. [3/5]
‘Early Morning’: There could be a handful of sleeper hits on this album, but those are the ones which promise greater longevity. ‘Early Morning’ takes a while to take off, but it’s worth the wait once the catchy melody kicks in. [3/5]
‘Dreamworld’: In Seagoth’s dreamworld, we float endlessly and oftentimes aimlessly, navigating their infinite atmosphere filled with weightlessness. ‘Dreamworld’ may tap into themes of restlessness and insomnia, but it’s delivered with such delicacy that it almost makes everything seem just a little bit easier. [3/5]
‘Cyberdaze’: “Just say what you want to say,” Seagoth sings, proving a necessary reminder of the importance of the now. ‘Cyberdaze’ may live up to its namesake and offer mere relaxation, but its message should be heard loud and clear. [3/5]
‘Don’t Stare’: A little heavier in execution, ‘Don’t Stare’ brings forth the album’s seriousness in a manner that perfectly balances the lighter, more ambient sounds. How To Stay Wide Awake is filled with escapist, dreamlike arrangements, but songs like ‘Don’t Stare’ invite you to look beneath the surface. [3/5]
‘The Writing on the Wall’: Arguably the best track on the album, ‘The Writing on the Wall’ has all of the necessary dressing to be an indie rock anthem, but the echoey aura of the accompanying vocals gives the sound its endearingly Seagoth spin. [3.5/5]
‘Amorphous’: According to Seagoth, this song provides a “reminder that we are just nature.” Hopelessness and struggling to fit in are two things that most of us can relate to, which ‘Amorphous’ presents in earnest. However, it also says that this is natural and must be felt in order to heal. [3.5/5]
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