September 20th, 2023 marks the release of Lowe’s Retreat’s first full-length album; “Scenes of Introspection". As a project, this album acts as a collection of scenes and images portraying different ways of dealing with or not dealing with one’s own emotions and different phases throughout the process. There are twelve songs on the album and this entry will give a brief rundown of the artistic inspiration behind each piece. Here is Lowe’s “Project Insight”.
Almost Seeing: This song takes a look at a phase in which the character in the scene has begun to understand that they experiencing thoughts and emotions that require some processing. In a proactive effort, they go on a hike in order to clear their head. While walking through a snowy forest, which happens to be inhabited by mystical creatures and oddities, the main character is distracted from their thoughts and ultimately steps into a grove where these woods-dwelling entities reveal themselves. This is very much a fantasy piece and a fair amount of inspiration came from fantasy game soundtracks.
Walk in the Park: In a slight reversal from the previous piece, this song shows a character out for a more routine nightly walk, that happens to be blindsided by the beauty of nature around them. Rather than pulling their attention away, this occurrence causes them to reflect on what is important in life. A stream flowing to the side of the walking path, the stars twinkling in the night sky, the crickets chirping, all connect our character to the world in a way they haven’t felt for many years. This is perhaps one of the most welcome occurrences of introspection; without warning, a glimpse of the world allowing us to deeply cherish and admire it's beauty, escaping the negativity that can be at times all-encompassing, and simply living in the present.
A Quiet Ride: With all of the songs I’ve written for this album, I have portrayed a single character that the listener can become, understanding or at least resonating with the emotions that person is feeling, and a setting that the listener can experience. This song is a bit of a departure as it involves two characters. The scene I had in mind for “A Quiet Ride” is heavily inspired by anime and also has quite a fantasy vibe.
While person A is boarding a train soon to leave for their hometown in order to visit their family for the weekend, person B is following as if they have something important to discuss. Unable to board the train, person B follows on the back of a flying companion, gliding behind. Having never been outside of the main city, the person flying discovers a world of wonder, mystery, fantasy, and miracles occurring outside of the city walls. Having a full view of this brand new exotic world around them, they are overcome with awe at the charm of the world and at the same time desperately wish that the person they are pursuing could share in their excitement.
Unfortunately, the person on the train is consumed with the seemingly minute details of their own life, not even looking out of the window. Just as they are stuck within the train car, they are stuck inside their own head. For the person on the train, it is a quiet ride. For the person flying, which is the listener’s perspective, this song is an incredible journey.
Tough Decisions: There were two main things I was attempting to do with “Tough Decisions”. First of all, this song was meant to be musically minimal and rather heavy on the foley effects in order to create more of an experience for the listener, acting as the soundtrack to someones life. Creating an effective and realistic atmosphere was one of the main focuses. Secondly, the underlying “scene” this track was built around has a rather subtle emotional side. Starting at the mouth of a train station exit, this song follows the main character’s walk to their apartment. Despite the name of the song, after a typically long workday, there is a rather trivial decision that needs to be made; what to eat for dinner. The person knows of various restaurants they could stop by, a convenience store near their house they could opt for instead, or perhaps ordering food after returning to their apartment. As this is the highlighted question of the night, the main character simply has no other decisions. Herein lies a subtle undertone of darker emotions. The person has become so accustomed to the monotonous and mundane, everyday lifestyle that there isn’t even a thought as to what to do after eating dinner. There is no potential to socialize with friends, go out to a bar or go see a movie, skateboard in the park, or go to an event. These thoughts simply don’t cross the character’s mind. Musically, this song is rather dreamy and not decidedly dark, as the character doesn’t even realize there could be more to living, but also does not end brightly. This, to me, is very sad and lonely. The character has not yet realized that they are missing out on life.
Just For Now: Perhaps one of the most personal songs I’ve written, this song is an expression of how I have personally felt working at my job for the past four and a half years (as of writing). Feeling as if I have been in a dream state, floating on aimlessly and watching the time slip by, I tried to express these emotions through the music. Similar to “Tough Decisions” in that I have been feeling the effects of a mundane and monotonous lifestyle, this song also contrasts the former as I am fully aware and dissatisfied. This song is about acknowledging these emotions and accepting them in order to move forward.
Cruising Again: In an attempt to temporarily get out of their environment, let their emotions cool off, and regain a sense of level-headedness, the person in this scene goes for a night drive. Though the act in itself begins alleviating their troubles, it’s not quite as effective as one would hope. Signified by the rain that is encountered on their outing, the character’s mind continues to bring up the very ideas they are trying to quell. Like a pestering bee continuously stinging, their emotions stubbornly refuse to admit defeat. Unfortunately, as the song comes to a close, we are left with a sense of incompletion.
Just Chillin: Set during the late night hours, perhaps around 1:00AM, this song portrays a character who is reflecting on their life situation, what they truly want from life, and what their possible options are. Sitting on the balcony of their apartment, watching the occasional car pass by on the road below, their ability to focus is waning in and out. Lazily sauntering in to grab a drink from the refrigerator and back out to the balcony as the night slowly moves on, a sense of regret and a small amount of anger arise as this lack of satisfaction in life takes hold. With this being a seemingly rare occasion, a chance to reflect and look for answers, solutions are not appearing and not being able to find an answer amplifies the negativity further.
Drinks on the House: This song takes a look at a darker side of the lack of introspection. As many people use various coping mechanisms, “Drinks on the House” portrays a character who is unable to acknowledge and accept their own emotions and, as a result, turns to daily consumption of alcohol to alleviate their suffering. As soon as they enter their apartment, they put down their briefcase, purse, or handbag and immediately pour a glass, as per usual. Escapism at its finest, the pain of facing one’s emotions becomes null. Sadly, they are the house and they are paying the price.
The Waiter: Although this scene is set in a diner/cafe, it is not about the service staff. “The Waiter” represents a person who has gotten to the point of recognizing their emotions and decides to write out their thoughts. However, this becomes rather ineffective as the person is essentially paralyzed by their position in life. They comprehend their problems but no matter how much they write and try to gain further understanding, they cannot find clarity. It is as if the character is waiting for something to happen that will change their life, eternally trapped. Awareness and recognition are important first steps, but this character is simply unable to move forward.
thank you: The most emotionally charged piece I have ever written. A person lying on the floor of their living room bawling uncontrollably, the doors to their balcony open as the rain flows in, the refrigerator left ajar and beeping as a means to persuade its owner to close it and preserve the food inside. In this moment, the character is experiencing an onslaught of various emotions, all of which are attacking at peak levels, taking them out at the knees to the point of rendering them non-functional. Despair, grief, suffering, longing, loneliness, a massive sense of regret, utter anger at the state of their world, and yet, there are also some seemingly more positive emotions also pummeling them further into their carpet: graciousness, gratitude, thankfulness, fondness, and bittersweet nostalgia. To the extreme of inciting a full-on panic attack, the emotional breakdown has completely overwhelmed and taken over this person. In this one moment, they don’t notice the rain coming in from the balcony. In this one moment, they don’t notice the refrigerator beeping. Even if they did, they wouldn’t care at all. In this one moment, they would give anything just to be able to say “thank you” to someone they can no longer say “thank you” to.
Sinking: Set in a desolate salt-flat desert, accompanied by only the wind, the protagonist in this scene has come to understand their circumstances, fully accept their fate, and slowly, but without hesitation, move toward what they know they need to do. An instance of chilling commitment to a soon-to-be incredibly painful outcome. Unfazed by what is now happening around them, laser-focused on their goal, the character stoically ignores an immense "sinking" feeling as they descend into their destiny. This song is very cinematic in nature and I tried to capture the aesthetic of the imagery I had in my mind for it and convey it through the music.
Tenshi: There were a few different influences for this song, mainly having to do with space and isolation. “Planet Caravan” by Pantera, the “Terran 3” BGM from StarCraft, and a section from Final Fantasy VIII in which the main character is in space. Sonically, I have loved the space western feel of both “Planet Caravan” and the “Terran 3” theme for many years and always wanted to write music around that style. As for the emotional backing of this piece, I found the idea of floating through space, despairingly searching for and wishing for an Angel, hauntingly lonely. Although there is a consistent darkness to the song, the soft repeating piano melody and reflections of the main characters emotions through the guitar line give a sliver of hope, but only a sliver. There is an unsettling lack of resolution to the song, and yet, this continuation can also be seen as possibility for the near future. As a listener, you’re not sure how it turns out in the end, but the fact that we didn’t get a conclusion means there is a small chance.
Many times, as listeners, we aren’t privy to the details behind an artist’s song and we don’t always need to be either. Sometimes it’s important to build our own interpretation of song and allow it to give us a more personal significance. Because of this, this article isn’t acting as a full on breakdown of every detail, but aims to serve listeners with a deeper connection to the art behind the audio. In this way, a stronger connection to the artist and their ideas can be made. If you enjoyed this 'Project Insight' or feel a particular interest in one of the ideas discussed above, please let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
Links to the album:
If you'd like to see what I'm currently up to you can check out my Twitter (X) @lowestringer or my Instagram @lowes_retreat.
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