The First Eloi, hailing from Hamburg, Germany, was formed in 2022; their name, is a reference to H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine”, yet their sound is so entrancing that it feels like something separate from time itself. Reverberating electric guitars, snappy snare, and cymbal over muted toms and kick drum, and an ethereal mezzo-soprano vocalist in their track, “Blanket Cave”, brings to mind the exact feeling of security such an intimate grotto offers. Surroundings of warmth and softness are indirectly invoked with a simple yet powerful progression that gently sways the listener, appeals to the nostalgia for slacker rock of the days sadly long behind us, and offers something of a lullaby to those with an ear keen for such relief.
In their press release (which I am so immensely thankful for), they share a snippet of the lyrics to this track:
“In this haze/Keep pouring as I misbehave/I know it’s late/Don’t take away my blanket cave”
The lyrics remain ambiguous enough for our minds to fill in the blanks, and while the sound of rainfall is absent from the recording, my own mind supplants the gentle patter of droplets against the windows and pouring upon the roof to complete the image of extracting joy from a dreary day by any means attainable. The song’s quiet beginning almost feels reminiscent of those first few drops of rain; the sudden shift to a fortissimo backed by rhythm guitar and drums calls to mind the sudden awakening in bed as lightning strikes the ground miles away with a blinding fury. In and out, the song drops and adds instruments as needed to illustrate the separation between a cruel outside world and the familiar comfort and security of home.
I suppose the most impactful quality of this song that has left such an impression on me is this very artistry, portraying struggle through warring sound. I have always been a fan of what is known in classical music as “programmatic music”, or a piece that tells a story with few or no words. Composers for many ballets, such as Stravinsky or Tchaikovsky, or Romantic Era composers like Beethoven were known for this style, and one could argue composing for a ballet makes the style a necessity to pair with its curated dance. Here, however, The First Eloi takes the concept to the realm of shoegaze, making a daring attempt to connect with its listener by striking in an all too tender spot: The dread of leaving the safety of one’s blanket cave, cozy in bed, to deal with the storm—be it metaphorical or literal—raging just outside one’s bedroom window.
It can be tough. None will deny as much. In the end, something always pulls us from our blanket caves. Perhaps, however, we can spare just enough time to cling to this delightful song like an anchor clinging to the crags in a stormy port, and manage the will to face today in the three minutes it takes to soothe us. I look forward to more from this group and wish them the best in producing it.
Written by Alexei Lee
