This EP from GillaWatts took way longer to write about than I had anticipated. The reason being, it’s too damn good – there are too many things to comment upon.
To give you a little background as to how the project came about – the artist known as GillaWatts attended an Ayahuasca retreat and later struggled with feelings of intense disconnection, to say the very least…
Three weeks after ingesting Ayahuasca at a spiritual retreat, he spiraled into a relentless psychosis, filled with delusions, hallucinations and a dangerous sense of invincibility, which lasted for three months. After returning to a normal level of sanity, the consequences of his psychotic actions came crashing down and he fell into a state of severe depression.
Anyone with experience in psychedelics or with mental health issues alike will likely respond quite strongly to hearing about this. The bright side, however, is that the process that followed these personal difficulties for the artist, included turning to music.
GillaWatts crafted this entire EP based on this deathly journey through turmoil. Whether you bear that in mind or not as you listen, these songs are superb – the production is so unique in itself, and the lyrics, the use of contrast, the thought provoking yet often all to relatable subject matter; everything is fascinating, musically satisfying, and addictive to have fill the room around you.
Lost a Friend kicks the project off and is a song I found myself replaying three or four times before I could go any further. As stated, the soundscape is unique and complex of its own accord – there’s an industrial, dark and atmospheric feel to it. Then you get the leading voice, the verses are quick and almost hip hop like – something that later actually reminded me of the delivery style of John Butler. Then the hook – the contrast is brilliant, the switch to these shorter lines, the higher melody, and the jarring nature of those lyrics;
…I watched it end
My mind is breaking up because I lost a friend
I pushed her way too far and she fell off the edge…
This project deals with some heartbreaking issues, but it does so in a musically stunning way. It’s dark and mysterious and incredibly original, and that appeals – it works. The reason for this success could well be that an artist at the end of his tether has nothing left to lose, so you get this unedited, unwavering truth – artistically as well as lyrically. You feel the realness and the creativity at every step.
Having reveled in the opening track for far too long, there was a slight fear that the rest of the project would fall below par. The fear was unnecessary though. Downstairs follows, and though it’s nothing like what came before – it offers something immensely impressive in its own right. And things continue in this unpredictable, endlessly interesting manner throughout.
I Don’t See Bodies brings a bolder wash of reverb and a smooth yet seemingly chaotic soundscape. Again, the contrast between the verses and the hook is fantastic. Each song on this EP offers a unique journey in itself. It’s all deeply personal, clearly, but for the listener – it becomes something else, something for them to relate to and attach their own meanings and experiences to. That’s where good music becomes great, in my opinion – in that ability to be inescapably honest and open, whilst still effectively, emotionally connecting with an absolute stranger.
Feed My Fantasy adds a little rhythm and dance to the project. The lyrics are excellent, as always – the quicker lines are well crafted, which is surprising; sometimes melodic singers veer off too heavily in the direction of simple rhymes to fill out longer lines. Far from the case here. GillaWatts’ use of language is poetic and captivating.
New Tsunami is perhaps a highlight during this latter half, the shortness of the delivery of the words has a theatrical and memorable feel to it, and the delicacy of the soundscape behind this, along with the softly manic beat, creates a hypnotic aura that’s impossible to ignore. The lyrics are again superb, well worth following along.
In Control finishes things up with a less lyrically dense bit of writing but a softer, smoother, almost synth-pop ballad-like vibe. The song progresses to fill the room with this sense of rising energy and an overwhelming wall of dreamlike audio – perhaps not too distantly representing the feelings you get as a medicinal trip sets in. There’s something heartbreaking about this final track, there’s emotion in the music and in the vocal performance, and it all seems to get more and more distant as it reaches its end.
A poignant way to go out, a reminder of the artist’s eclectic creativity, and a sure-fire way to make-sure you come back again soon; to escape among the authentic chaos and calm of the whole collection. Absolutely worth a download, and a definite recommend for something to really pay attention to when you get the chance.
Download the EP via Bandcamp. Find & follow GillaWatts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Instagram. Visit his Website for more info.
