#20/20
DREAMFORTRESS
8.138888889
My Score: 8
(@Earth Intruders: 11, @japanbonustrack, @Cutlery, @caladan, @Mirwais Ahmadzaï: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@happiestgirl: 3)
The title of this song is quite apt because, in a sense, it’s like a fortress of sound. Or maybe more like a labyrinth. You’re invited in with that stunning Celtic-sounding string intro and then you gradually make your way through a series of sonic rooms, some of them eerie, some of them beautiful. The melodies are some of the best on the album and the production is among the best realized: I love all the ornate details and weirdly enough, the song has a certain ethereal groove to it. Honestly, I should have given this a half point more, but it suffers from a common
Halfaxa problem: it’s WAY too long. I don’t think there are enough ideas to support its length. I always find myself turning it off before it ends even though it’s a highly pleasurable listening experience. That being said, I think it’s more than worthy of being
Halfaxa’s last song standing. It seems very defining of the album’s overall ethos and aesthetic.
Trouble in Paradise reports to us from inside the dreamfortress (8.5): ““Dreamfortress” is such perfect name for this song cause it conjurs the sense of wandering in some beautiful yet terrifying dreamscape. The strings make it one of the most memorable songs off of Halfaxa and it has Grimes’s voice in its beautiful airy yet gritty highness. The midsong breakdown and build up show just how inspired of a producer Grimes is.”
Untouchable Ace (8.5) thinks she’s an inspired producer too, buts sometimes he wishes she picked more mature instruments: “It was good except for the bits with the whiney instruments.” Perhaps he’s referring to the violins because
Xanax (7) is rather irritated by them despite digging the song as a whole: “Sonically this is one of the standouts again…the vocals are just beautiful and make me melt. The violin-sample however…irritates me a bit (though I know it fits perfectly with the sounds mood…but yeah).”
Cutlery (10) tells another tale of irritation, but it has a happy ending!: “When I first became a fan, I used to lowkey hate this based solely on the chipmunk, ear-drilling vocal pitching halfway through, but I've long since then grown out of it. The soothing production paired with Grimes’ vocals in the first part, then evolves into suspense on par with the dramatic violins, only to go back to the serenity she achieves by swiftly switching up the mood of the track.”
Lets switch the mood of the write-up and talk about
horror. constantino (9) says, “I love how much this sounds like something from an indie horror film score. The use of strings is a nice touch, giving it that extra menacing feel.” Jason Voorhees could
never. In contrast,
caladan (10) is soothed, not scared: “One of the highlights of Halfaxa. Very soothing and dreamy.” He’s not alone in picking Dreamfortress as a highlight.
Mirwais Ahmadzai (10) also gives it that distinction: “My second 10 of the rate goes to this Halfaxa highlight! Definitely a sign of greater things to come with Visions.”
Satyress gives it a point less, but loves it for all its beautiful scars and quirks: “Weird, messy and lovely.”
We’ll end on
Earth Intruders, who bestowed his most sacred score upon it: “Honestly incredible song, its the kind of song where you can't believe what you're hearing.”
YouTube Comments Section
Del Martinis: melts my soul
Carola Tesla: this is my shower time song <3
Eljin owens: Ahhhh eeeeaaardrugs.
You guys
have to see this fan-made video, if you haven’t already. It’s the best fan video I’ve ever seen for
anything:
CIRCUMAMBIENT
8.138888889
My Score: 9
(@Hurricane Drunk, @caladan, @enjoy: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@Sanctuary: 5.5)
What kind of hyperactive, robotic, chopped up, immensely danceable BOP! When I make dance playlists for parties, this is one of the first songs that go on it. It’s just so much fun. I feel like “Eight” was trying to be fun in a similar way, but it doesn’t have the range. This, on the other hand, has everything going for it: a great melody, a great sense of groove and rhythm, and a cool sonic atmosphere. I especially stan for the chorus. I love how her vocals are chopped up and thrown into a delicious hook-soup. It kinda has a cheerleader feel that reminds me of “Kill V. Maim’s” pre-chorus, but this song’s cybernetic mood sets it apart. Can we also talk about how cool the title is? I looked up the definition and it means “surrounding.” The song really does surround you with its well-managed craziness, doesn’t it? When Claire wants to bring the bops, she really goes all in. Utterly irresistible.
I’m a bit concerned because Mariah Carey KEEPS POPPING UP! This time, per
constantino (8.5): “Yup, this still slaps. This features some of the best production on the entire record. Oh and that high note? Ended Mariah.” Apparently
not because
Cultery (9) says, “Embodiment of atmospheric pop music.gif, this bop is as quirky as it gets with Grimes as there are raceway field recordings, nice synths, occasional blips and a yet another channeling of Mariah with those whistle notes! Perfect example of how she manages to craft accessible synthpop songs from unlikely sources. IN TIME!!!!!” Okay, now that Mariah has invaded not one but
two comments, let’s move on to…Mariah
again? Trouble in Paradise (8.5) says, “There’s a point in the song where she just up and hits a wicked high note and it always gives me Messy Mariah Carey Live Performance teas but I love this song nonetheless/even more because of it.” Mimi is truly circumambient. Speaking of things you can’t escape,
Xanax (8.5) says, “I LOVE THIS. Its almost like you are haunted by a thousand voices/thoughts at once and cannot escape them.”
caladan (10) doesn’t
want to escape the voices: “Only Grimes could make such an awesome song with just a beat, a catchy loop and some weird vocals on top. The way the vocals are chopped and processed is amazing.” We reached out to
Mirwais Ahmadzai (8) for comment because of his expertise in chopped and processed vocals but he wanted to talk about synths. Squiggly ones in particular: “The squiggly synths are everything.” Indeed. Now let’s end this write-up before Mimi shows up again.
YouTube Comments Section
Bendage: every time i listen to this i imagine strutting down an l.a. street at nighttime in 10 inch stiletto heels and men are kneeling before me
Abraham Meat: This song makes me want to fuck on the floor.
Brandon Harvey: I eat aluminum foil.
