Yes We Mystic – Long Dream (2022)
With the lead single from their final album, Yes We Mystic are drawing inspiration from a short story of the same name by Japanese horror graphic novelist, Junji Ito. Using a powerful layering of synths and an inspired release of horns and strings, ‘Long Dream’ crashes through you like an ocean wave. The single uses this powerful melody to echo the surrealism of the short story while bringing the band’s own unique twist.
Taking listeners to dizzying heights, this single is a wonderful showcase of everything the band has to offer. After their decade-long existence, the band has called time on their music with their upcoming album being their last. The band first got together in high school and has turned into an internationally touring powerhouse, who have now doubled their efforts to make their final release their best yet.
‘Long Dream’ has a rather chilled vibe that comes through in the light bubbling movement of the opening. There is a continuous building feeling to the synths as they layer through the verse. When the drums shuffle in over the flow of the synths, they add this swaying vibe track. Each note builds on the last, adding more and more to the layers of the single. Through this movement, you are filled with a sense of anticipation for the final crescendo. As the anticipation builds, the edges of the melody gain a light hazy feeling that brings the first touch of surrealism which is taken to new levels by the horns and strings. There is no moment of reprieve from the melody as it continues to push you further and further into the soundscape. All of this comes to a climax in a rather towering conclusion, packed with the majesty of each instrument and synth.
The chilled vibes of the opening are picked up by the vocals for the first verse. There is an expansive feeling to the vocals as they reach out into the depths of time. The lyrics have a surreal edge as the imagery invoked swirls like a disjointed dreamscape where things don’t quite make sense, but are still strangely connected. While the melody continues to build through the single, the vocals offer an anchor of chilled vibes that become stained with a fear of the future and the unknown. This taps perfectly into the short story the single was inspired by and brings tension to the anticipation. As the music rises to the final climax, the vocals grow in strength and power to match.
Through the building melody of ‘Long Dream’, Yes We Mystic fills you with anticipation tinged with a hint of fear of the future and what is waiting for you. It is a really captivating single that sweeps you into the melody using a rather chilled and gentle hook. The anchor offered by the vocals is masterfully done and keeps you from being swept too far out by the music.
Find out more about Yes We Mystic on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
