Anastave – Queen City Sounds and Art

Anastave brings a darkly ethereal, soothing sound to the “Sacrifice” single. The hushed vocals sound so up close and intimate and the background synth melodies and textures sound like a needle was dropped on a record made for the occasion to play while the vocals were recorded. The lyrics seem like a weird series of short diary entries written to someone but perhaps in the style where the words are a manifestation, a summary, of sentiments and words spoken to the author like assuming the persona of an abuser to make more sense of a challenging situation as a vehicle for therapy through art. Though the song does sound very much like it’s all but whispering in your ear there is a sense of spaciousness like taking the time to speak one’s truth into actual space instead of keeping them merely to yourself and even though the song’s lyrics speak of toxic interactions and a terribly controlling relationship down to threats of violence and holding a lethal consequence offered if the abuser feels the abused is worthy. In the chorus there is talk of sacrificing everything for the malignant narcissist and their own expressions of a deranged sense of personal aggrievement which seems so relevant to social dynamics we have largely left unexamined as a culture. It goes to some darkly personal places and in doing so with the level of honesty and reality demonstrated allows for the truth to shine rather than get to hide because of one’s own internal censor and social cover for horrible behavior serve as an illusion to cover over the harm done. The luminously airy composition is dreamlike in its delivery of its layers of mood and in being so easily accessible it makes the content easier to take on its own terms. Listen to “Sacrifice” on Spotify and follow Anastave at the links provided.