Listening to “Dahlia” by IVES feels like you’re floating through a dream that you can’t quite figure out the meaning of. If you’ve ever wondered what shoegaze dream pop with a hint of darkness sounds like, you’ll find it here!
I was instantly drawn in by the suspenseful guitar motif it opens with: Lingering silences creating anticipation and intrigue. This unassuming but clever riff will follow you throughout the track, repeating over and over. With layers building, Chris Kellogg’s guitars fit together satisfyingly, like jigsaw pieces.
Unsettling imagery transports you to an atmosphere surrounded by shadows, winds, and waves. I love how this contrasts with the beauty and vibrancy of the dahlia. The minor key keeps you on edge; don’t be fooled by the occasional glimpses of major chords, trapping you into a false sense of security! Distortion and echo effects further disorientate you, particularly in the bridge, where you feel as though you’re being washed away in a trance. Yet you can’t help being lured towards Ivory / Ives’ understated, hypnotic vocals, and her insistence that “The dahlias say you’re mine.” The way she sings it somehow creates the sense that she knows something we don’t; rather, what do the dahlias know that we don’t?
I can’t decide if this is a love song, or something deeper. I have a feeling it may be the latter. Either way, it is impossible not to be entranced by this track!
Take a listen to “Dahlia” below:
Written by Macy Tyrer
