In their latest sonic voyage, Still Corners dazzles with “Crystal Blue,” a luminescent gem and the third single off their eagerly awaited album, Dream Talk, poised for release on April 5th through Wrecking Light Records. Like waves cresting and falling, “Crystal Blue” washes over the senses with its rhythmic pulse, conjuring images of two lovers divided by vast seas, yet united in their yearning to bridge the aqueous expanse that lies between them. The narrative unfolds within the confines of time’s relentless march, as the duo finds solace in the sea’s eternal companionship, all the while longing for a reunion beneath the same celestial glow. The track’s instrumentation—a fusion of gentle drumbeats, congas, and the singular chime of a marimba—serves as the backdrop to Tessa Murray’s introspective musing, “Do fishes sleep, in the ocean blue? Do you dream of me like I dream of you?” A guitar solo, crystalline in its clarity, acts as a sonic conduit, transporting the listener across the globe to witness the lovers’ odyssey to realms anew.
Through its sparse percussion and unadorned arrangement, “Crystal Blue” crafts a dreamscape that is at once ethereal and grounding, encapsulating the album’s titular essence. This auditory daydream evokes a Brian Eno-inspired trance, with Murray’s airy vocals and the silky tapestry of sound enveloping the listener in a cocoon of surreal tranquility. Check out “Crystal Blue” below:
“Dream Talk” is a testament to the fluidity of creation, its roots sprawling across East Sussex, the verdant landscapes of Southern France, and the storied environs of Woodstock, New York. “The songs came together quickly, thanks to the liberty of writing from any locale, which sustained our creative momentum,” shares Murray. Greg Hughes, the architect behind the album’s sound, reflects on their exploratory approach: “We ventured through various sonic terrains, experimenting with different mics, amps, and effects, before finding our sound. Mixed analog through our new SSL console, the album radiates a distinct luster.”
The release of “Crystal Blue” is accompanied by a visually arresting video helmed by the acclaimed director Lucy Dyson, known for her collaborations with Beyonce and Paul McCartney. Dyson shares, “Working on ‘Crystal Blue,’ my fourth video for Still Corners, was a delightful dive into the song’s oceanic and serene qualities. The track, reminiscent of the sea’s vastness and the calm of a summer breeze, inspired a visual narrative as tranquil as the sight of seahorses gliding through water. Utilizing stunning 8mm footage and drawing inspiration from Tessa’s elegantly simple silk shirt, the video weaves together the ethereal beauty of a coral reef, the shifting shades of the deep, and the hypnotic dance of seagulls on the wind, all mirroring the serene beauty evoked by the music.”
In “Crystal Blue,” Still Corners invites us on a reflective journey across emotional and physical landscapes, crafting a musical and visual tapestry that celebrates the power of love, the mystery of the sea, and the ineffable beauty of dreaming together.