ARK IDENTITY - “Eyes”
Photo by Kyle Poole
“Eyes” is the debut dream pop release from Toronto-based ARK IDENTITY. The song has a truly pleasing classic indie pop feel, not only in the instrumentation but also in the reflective melodies that wrap themselves around the track.
“Eyes” is driven by a steady, unhurried drum beat which adds weight to the contemplative and wistful composition, while filling the song with lush syncopated textures as the track reaches the end stages. Complementing this is the deep bass, which pulses with a lush, vintage tone. This enhances the nostalgic vibes and brings a sense of tension and release over key areas with subtle changes in the rhythms.
Dressing the track are some sweet, shimmering, and jangly-toned guitar layers that weave a gentle, dreamy atmosphere. Similarly to the bass, the mood that permeates from these layers is one of melancholic nostalgia and brings to mind the work of acts such as Alvvays or Beach House as a comparison.
As the track progresses, an increasingly psychedelic, almost Tame Impala vibe starts to bubble up through the addition of a fuzzed-out guitar solo and retro-toned synth layers that elegantly help flesh out the track’s melody further. The vocal on “Eyes” is delivered with a tender, reflective tone that carries a palpable sense of vulnerability. Supported by breathy backing layers, it adds another rich melodic element to the composition.
Lyrically, “Eyes” was born out of reflecting on a past relationship: “I fell in love with someone for who they were at a certain point in time, and when I went to later revisit that same relationship, I realized they were no longer the person they once were. It’s a song about letting go, and surrendering to the universe.”
“Eyes“ stands as a remarkably strong debut record from ARK IDENTITY, showcasing strong songwriting and a healthy ability to push the boundaries of the modern dream pop format.