December 22, 2024

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

Sky Lions – Psychic Gifts

In the enigmatic realm where music becomes an avenue to explore the unknown, Portland-based duo Sky Lions reigns as a sonic force. Comprising the dynamic partnership of Radio Sloan and Outer Stace, Sky Lions unveils a strange musical tapestry that beckons listeners into their world of sonic mystique. Their latest creation, “Psychic Gifts,” showcases their innate ability to channel the ethereal and seamlessly blend influences from post-punk and darkwave, while conjuring echoes of legendary predecessors like Siouxsie & The Banshees and Bauhaus. The roots of Sky Lions stretch back to a serendipitous meeting during their childhood days at a summer day camp in Oregon. This fateful encounter laid the foundation for a musical companionship that would eventually blossom into an artistic synergy so profound that it borders on the psychic. As if sharing a cosmic wavelength, Radio Sloan and Outer Stace communicate musically with an almost supernatural connection, allowing them to conjure compositions that transcend the ordinary. “Psychic Gifts” is an embodiment of this metaphysical musical communion. Drawing inspiration from the enigmatic realms of post-punk and darkwave, the track delves deep into a sonic abyss, enveloping listeners in an atmosphere of foreboding beauty. The echoes of Siouxsie & The Banshees and Bauhaus are palpable, serving as a testament to the band’s reverence for the genre’s pioneers. This homage to the past, however, doesn’t shackle Sky Lions; rather, it acts as a springboard for their own creative exploration. As the lyrical tapestry unfurls, a narrative of eerie communication and unseen forces emerges, inviting us to explore the enigmatic landscape the song constructs.

“In between I ask this place if it’s heard my words and stays. ‘Cuz I think within this place there are eyes among the walls”

The song begins by evoking the sensation of being caught between the tangible and intangible, seeking validation from an elusive realm. The notion that the place itself possesses a consciousness, “heard my words and stays,” sets a mysterious tone, blurring the boundaries between the physical and metaphysical. The suggestion of “eyes among the walls” creates an atmosphere of surveillance, as if unseen observers are watching from every corner.

“I see you’ve come back to life just to bother me. I see you’ve nothing else left but your eternal sorry.”

This segment introduces a ghostly presence, one that appears to have returned from the beyond. The notion of being “bothered” suggests an intrusion or disruption, possibly reflecting a lingering unresolved matter. The concept of an “eternal sorry” adds a layer of melancholy, hinting at regrets or unfinished business that continue to haunt.

In “Psychic Gifts,” Sky Lions presents more than just a song; it’s an invitation to a journey of sonic introspection. The track entices with its multi-layered instrumentation, haunting melodies, and the palpable chemistry between Sloan and Stace. As the last notes resonate, one can’t help but be excited about the musical odyssey that Sky Lions is embarking upon. “Psychic Gifts” is an incantation of their musical prowess and an ode to their unparalleled connection, resonating with those who seek sonic adventures that transcend the ordinary. As the legacy of pioneers like Siouxsie Sioux and Grace Slick lives on, Sky Lions emerges as torchbearers of the mystical and the musical, inviting us all to venture into their enigmatic realm.

Sky Lions photo by Radion Sloan Outer Stace

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