Upon first listen, the track "Submarine" by herbal tea is an ethereal and enlightening experience for you. The song is the second track off her forthcoming debut album, and seamlessly blends indie rock, dream pop, and slowcore for an atmospheric, widescreen sound. "Submarine" is centred around this song, a reflection that feels like sipping herbal tea: "When I wrote 'Submarine,' I thought I was poking at old wounds, but now the meaning keeps shifting as time goes by." The evolving definition of this is reminiscent of yearning for a place away from everything, somewhere else, too, where to hide away during peaceful nights. The words feel intimate, individual, and infinite, as if swimming in dark waters without a bottom.
From a simple home recording done on a laptop, "Submarine" evolved into a more refined sound. This is the only track on the album in which anything related to herbal tea was recorded with drums in the studio, and it makes a huge difference. Pairing soft, whispered guitar reverberations with the steady rhythm of the drums adds to this track's collection of ideas about safety in the face of openness, as well as calmness against motion. An accompanying DIY music video has been pieced together to capture the spirit of the track. Filmed in Bristol on a VHS camcorder, the visuals convey the same personal warmth as her music. With clarity previously covered in an overt haze, the video directed by herbal tea, and filmed and edited by Helena and Henry Sharpe, almost feels like retracing a fond memory, blurring reality with dream-like tones.
The inspiration for the rising and falling of "Submarine" musically came from writing into the track to create a gradual descent of a submarine down to the depths of the ocean, incorporating elements from numerous genres. Slowing things down with a poise that has an air of ambiance mixed in with the raw, honest feel of traditional indie. The music creates a submerged, friendly vibe around you, as if you are getting deeper and deeper into its abyss. herbal tea not only showcases a song in "Submarine," but also introduces relief to those seeking an escape from life's chaotic dilemmas. Both subtle and chilling, the track probably lingers beyond its actual length.
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