Category Archives: Weekly Song

The Weekly Song category.

Delerium – Blue Fires

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Welcome to the dream. The dream takes place inside her mind while she floats inside ours, carried by blue fires and ephemeral sounds. Take her hand, dance, that’s why the rhythm is there. Fly, sway, let the music take you away.

Harmonies and echoes ease the melody’s flow into our imagination, where it shines and soothes. If there would be such a thing as a contemporary musical definition of dreamy, then I think this song should be among the prime examples. There’s nothing that screams “fantastic production values” louder than a solid Delerium song. Love at first listen.

“Blue fires burning again
In my head
All the things we left unsaid
In my head”

You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase Delerium’s album :). After all, it’s my favorite band at the moment and I was waiting for this album for years. There, I’ve said it!

https://metropolisrecords.bandcamp.com/track/blue-fires^

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0WxwKr1490

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0WxwKr1490^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/2gnoiPvft3gs1EunOIWcY5^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/129781400^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/01259-DeleriumMythologie-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Delerium – Blue Fires’ desc=’Take her hand, dance, that’s why the rhythm is there. Fly, sway, let the music take you away.’]

Subheim – Foray

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Upon hitting “play”, a haunting depth opens. Despite its understated rhythm, the melody is, somehow, incredibly convincing. An almost ritualistic chant in the first half of the song acts as both compositional boundary and atmospheric enhancer. Are the choirs gloomy or ecstatic? This one is indeed a foray, a foray into an abyss where the imagination can wander and find wonders, or terrors. It’s all a matter of free will.

German producer Subheim is one of my recent finds when it comes to dark ambient electronica. Judging by what I’ve heard so far from him, it sure looks like I’ll feature his music again.

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlMfzGzKaQc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlMfzGzKaQc^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/13S4BWfxhcV1alNWyjKUrl^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/115243918^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/01254-SubheimForay-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Subheim – Foray’ desc=’Despite its understated rhythm, the melody is, somehow, incredibly convincing. An almost ritualistic chant in the first half of the song acts as both compositional boundary and atmospheric enhancer.’]

Conjure One – Sleep

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Singer Marie-Claire D’Ubaldo provides the dreamy landscape a song worthy of the title “Sleep” would need. But then again, this melody isn’t about sleeping at all. It’s about fire, it’s about movement, it’s about meanings hidden in plain sight, which her voice tempts the listener to find among the song’s witty lyrics. Accompanying us is the surreal yet body-moving music of Conjure One, brainchild of Rhys Fulber of Delerium fame. This is a beautifully written song in all ways a song can be so.

“Without sleep there are no dreams
Without dreams, we fall apart at the seams”

YouTube (AWESOME fan-made video, using Solarstone’s chilled out remix of the song):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1h_VqYFgTE^

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugnv-h343gI^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

http://open.spotify.com/track/4BCe2h8kubZ1OUgMAWB3QH^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/76565333^

This Weekly Song entry has been brought from the FaceBook archive of Weekly Song^. This exploration was originally started through a FaceBook page, about 13 months prior to launching Mentatul. Slowly but surely, the entire FaceBook archive will be brought here.

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Savages – Adore

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An emotional masterpiece with words so powerful they pierce through the music and reach deep within our soul. Every touch of the guitar comes at just the right moment. It’s one of those rare songs when the singing is in perfect symbiosis with the music.

The video lifts the melody to unfathomable heights. It is audio-visual poetry at its best. My recommended journey is to first listen to the song while reading the lyrics. Only then, armed with a hint of opinion and words of knowledge, should you delve into the depths of a work of art in body language.

It’s not often that I post the full lyrics of a song, but in this case, it’s not only recommended, but outright necessary. I discussed the meaning of the lyrics and the video with several friends and was surprised to see how much it splits the crowd.

“If only I didn’t want the world
I wouldn’t make you feel so sad
I’m sure my shame would be gone
Is it human to adore life?

If only I’d hidden my lust
And starved a little bit more
If only I didn’t ask for more
Is it human to adore life?

I adore life

If only I’d lived beyond regret
I wouldn’t feel guilt for what I take
Is it human to ask for more?
Is it human to adore life?

I know evil when I see it
I know good and I just do it
If I hadn’t been so starved
Is it human to adore life?

I understand the urgency of life
In the distance there is truth which cuts like a knife
Maybe I will die maybe tomorrow so I need to say

I adore life

If only I had been more shy
And hid every tear I cried
If only I didn’t wish to die
Is it human to adore life?

If only I didn’t care so much
For the feel of your cold, cold touch
In every bed I leave behind
Is it human to adore life?

I understand the urgency of life
In the distance there is truth which cuts like a knife
Maybe I will die maybe tomorrow so I need to say

I adore life

I adore life

Do you adore life?”

Me, yes, I must confess I adore life.

You can purchase the album from the location below. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase Savages’ album :).

https://savages.store-08.com/account/music/savg040002-savages-adore-life-digital/^

YouTube (decent quality, AWESOME video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ZpPsaMNMM^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/43v9n2WUgrDi4Z4wiEEV8h^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/01534-SavagesAdoreLife-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Savages – Adore’ desc=’A amazing song with words so powerful they pierce through the music and reach deep within our soul.’]

Alex Smoke – 6am

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Here’s some flowing, groovy electronica to put some spring into any late evening, work assignment or workout. Alex Smoke wastes no time during these 6 minutes of solid musical craftsmanship. The simple acoustic guitar that shows up and intertwines with the rhythm really adds to the melody. What more can be said? Nothing more needs to be said. Just sit back and enjoy the vibration.

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrcFR7LBxvA^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/1fWOYbEu7M3BCg4atJnpZU^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/3844099^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/01238-AlexSmokeIncommunicado-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Alex Smoke – 6am’ desc=’Here's some flowing, groovy electronica to put some spring into any late evening, work assignment or workout.’]

Iamamiwhoami – Sever

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This song starts off as a rather slow, melancholic piece. Her voice comes from far away, carried by ghostly choirs. Together with the careful composer, she’ll enthrall us so that we don’t even realize when we’re led towards the energetic end. And then she leaves again to… far away.

With its cryptic lyrics, I was a bit anxious about the day I have to review this song because it’s a bit… different. It comes with a pretty strange video too. Beautiful art should be featured and written about, so it’s not like I had a choice – I had to see what words I can get out of this song and I hope you enjoyed them.

“I won’t be fooled by its touch or emotional supply
the scent of the fair and heavy allure will dry
the cold and the bare grasped so delicate by one’s eye
is why we can’t ally and elope to wry

almost forgotten the way we used to live for play
to be accepted i must blend into convention’s way
and sing in universal ways”

The album can be purchased from the label’s website using the link below. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase it.

https://shop.towhomitmayconcern.cc/collections/iamamiwhoami-kin/products/iamamiwhoami-kin-album-book^

YouTube (decent quality, interesting (?) video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7zyF2QJ1BA^

You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on SoundCloud, a wonderful website for supporting both emerging and established artists:

https://soundcloud.com/twimclabel/iamamiwhoami-sever^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/1413phvVy0sYsEIwNjDgHs^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/69000219^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/01232-IamiwhomamiKin-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Iamamiwhoami – Sever’ desc=’This song starts off as a rather slow, melancholic piece. Her voice comes from far away, carried by ghostly choirs.’]

Digitonal – Anaethmatics

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Playfulness is this melody. It tip-toes around our ears, unfolding its airy rhythms and, after a minute or so, it starts its joyful dance. Like any good play, it doesn’t overstay its welcome – it just grabs attention and leaves its echo in our memory. The song comes from the album “Beautiful Broken”. I can certainly testify towards the beauty of the composition. Don’t know about the “broken” part.

You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase Digitonal’s album :).

https://digitonal.bandcamp.com/track/anaethmatics^

Sadly, the song is not available on YouTube, but that’s fine because you can listen for free on BandCamp (see above) and Deezer.

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/2lsxCCQhWd3KJeYbU7AKS4^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/96772696^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/01226-DigitonalBeautifulBroken-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Digitonal – Anaethmatics’ desc=’Playfulness is this melody. It tip-toes around our ears, unfolding its airy rhythms and, after a minute or so, it starts its joyful dance.’]

MIKTEK – Song Of The Burning Mountain

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It’s hard to pick a song to feature from MIKTEK’s “Elsewhere” album simply because all songs on it are so damn awesome. This one, with its subdued creatures of sound, meowing here and there is almost as good as any.

Every time I listen to this album I find my preferences shifting from one song to another, which is a very good sign for an LP. MIKTEK is, by far, one of the best down-tempo artists I ever heard. Don’t worry though, down-tempo or not, there’s plenty of awesome rhythms here, featuring a masterful use of low frequencies.

You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase MIKTEK’s album :).

https://ultimae.bandcamp.com/track/song-of-the-burning-mountain^

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OukGcDEYnM^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/0NJKPclPUeLZQEPHpB2HNH^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/66907675^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/01220-MIKTEKElsewhere-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’MIKTEK – Song Of The Burning Mountain’ desc=’Subdued creatures of sound, meowing here and there on this yet another awesome MIKTEK song.’]

Dead Can Dance – Children Of The Sun

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There’s solemnity here. There’s positivity. There’s a statement of brotherhood, sisterhood and belongness to a greater something. Organized religion is merely the system that has been developed by humans in order to control and exploit this feeling that we all have inside. Even if it is “just” the Universe we belong to, it is still a feeling of being part of something. We are, truly, children of the Sun, for without the atomic lovemaking called fusion, we wouldn’t exist.

Beautiful music, powerful voice, meaningful message, what more can we ask for? Perhaps a longer listen? We got it! This one will keep our eardrums satisfied for a bit over 7 minutes and a half. Enjoy.

“We are the children of the sun
Our journey’s just begun
Sunflowers in our hair
We are the children of the sun
There is room for everyone
Sunflowers in our hair

[…]

Faith, hope, our charities
Greed, sloth, our enemies

We are the children of the sun
We are the children of the sun”

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6aQEFzB3zQ^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

http://open.spotify.com/track/1koW7ZXIK67vKaYWjzNlG8^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/39940831^

This Weekly Song entry has been brought from the FaceBook archive of Weekly Song^. This exploration was originally started through a FaceBook page, about 13 months prior to launching Mentatul. Slowly but surely, the entire FaceBook archive will be brought here.

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Balligomingo – Lust

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Every now and then, the perfect voice, lyrics and music meet. The way singer Beverley Staunton flows through the words is truly something to behold – powerful, ecstatic, driven. This song is as sensual and uplifting as they come. Of course, what is sensual for someone is a turnoff for someone else, but I believe we can agree that there’s a powerful voice and some beautiful lyrics here.

This melody comes from Balligomingo’s “Beneath the Surface” album, which I must highly recommend. The sound may be somewhat reminiscent of Delerium, but I feel that Balligomingo’s album is more… sensual – and not because of this song alone, check “Heat” out, where the artists collaborate with Kristy Thirsk, yet another amazing singer that created alongside Delerium.

“Follow me into deeper waters
Sinking fast into your eyes
Caught inside your trance

Feel my hunger for aching pleasure
Shelter me under your spell
Offer me your soul

[…]

Feel the fire burning under
Wander free into my world
Let me be your pearl”

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h_A52LvMeA^

For Spotify Users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/2tPGYhpLWelsJvU2Mf4F7q^

For Deezer Users (high quality):

http://www.deezer.com/track/991456^

[ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/01214-BalligomingoBeneathSurface-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Balligomingo – Lust’ desc=’The way singer Beverley Staunton flows through the words is truly something to behold – powerful, ecstatic, driven.’]