A Shoreline Dream – Written In Dust (feat. Mark Gardener)

“Written in Dust” by A Shoreline Dream, featuring Mark Gardener (of Ride), is a very atmospheric song that combines the ethereal elements of shoegaze with the reflective sadness of New Wave. The song has a nostalgic energy, expressing a mood of misty reflection on memories blurred by contemporary life’s electronic distractions. From the first notes, melodic guitars and synthesizers take the listener to an 80s-inspired dreamscape, bridging the romance of early New Wave with the feelings of sadness and melancholy of shoegaze. The tune develops slowly, with lush layers of reverb-soaked vocals and atmospheric guitar lines creating a drifting perception. Mark Gardener’s vocals are distant and emotionally touching, with audio effects emphasizing the track’s dreamy, even surreal nature. The synth lines in “Written in Dust” are key to the song’s hazy mood, moving across the music like mist, while the percussion adds an unexpected beat, making the tune groovy and almost pop. The combination of dark ambient sounds and an uptempo beat creates a wonderful tension, connecting with the listeners while allowing them to drift into the music’s dreamy orientation. The song’s lyrics deal with issues such as memory and the loss of simplicity in a technologically advanced society. Lines like “Now we find ourselves stripped down with no technology / Now we find ourselves happier this way” express a desire to return to a more natural, less computerized existence. There is a longing for the past, for “golden moments” that can no longer be reached using the “old keys” of memory. The tune slows down at about 3:37, becoming deeper and atmospheric, and finishes in a dreamy, almost meditative finish after a vibrant groove in the first section. This slowdown allows the listener to connect with the emotions created throughout the music, resulting in a deep, relaxing finale.