New video for fourth single off of Ever Crashing
Ever Crashing will be the second LP from Kennedy Ashlyn, the musical talent behind SRSQ, who aptly self-describes as griefwave, dreamgaze, and grating pop for the unfit. On July 19th, SRSQ debuted the latest single off of the album, “Abyss,” alongside a dazzling, corresponding video.
“Abyss” is a personal, yet highly relatable, lyrical narrative describing Ashlyn’s experience of piecing herself back together after an ADHD and Bipolar diagnosis. I’d ordinarily feel somewhat exploitative to mention that for the sake of article content. But, Ashlyn has spoken candidly about it herself. And I think sometimes it is helpful and inspiring for those of us who are also struggling with similar, private battles to see — not just in camaraderie, but in that she’s created something so honest and upliftingly transcendent out of her own tumultuous, internal journey.
In trying to reach for her own beacon of light, she’s offered one to the rest of us. Airy and tranquil vocals carry over smooth orchestral backing, providing contrast to the difficult emotion being faced. The percussion has a creative quality to it. Without being too obvious, it does sound almost like being snatched or pulled down into a tide pool. The sharp looping rhythm reminds of the cyclical nature of the episodes she’s speaking of. The song gently builds to a soft, climactic swell — and the sweeping melody offers a hopeful promise, despite how tender its innards are.
There’s a certain peace in letting go, but Ashlyn is not giving up. It’s often not a linear progression to figure oneself out or reach a point of healing. Often it can feel like the second you’ve finally grasped onto something solid or attained a level of clarity, that a new and unexpected wave hits, throwing us back into the tumults. Sometimes one must accept the struggle to accept oneself. The current is never going to let up, so we need to learn to agilely move with the stream instead of fighting against it. Life is a process, and in faith, many of us could stand to loosen our grip.
Abyss
The video features the musician, who’s quite striking herself, predominantly underwater, ethereally lit in arresting blue lighting. If anyone would be apt to be portrayed as a siren, it would be SRSQ. When she’s not floating adrift below, Ashlyn can be seen serving a synchronized Lynchian choreography performance. Dreamy, yet stark — her movement reminds me of his notorious use of rewound speech. The broader reference is also warranted as the video at once feels like it takes place in some inner sanctum and looks like whatever the heavenly dimension of Fire Walk With Me would imaginably consist of, like an antithesis to the Black Lodge.
Kennedy Ashlyn regularly looks like she could have stepped out of Mulholland Drive. But in trying to place my finger on what makes her subtly iconic, I think in general she carries a certain Lounge Singer air to her persona. The chanteuse is a character portrayed in film and media that often serves as a mirror for our collective unconscious — our deepest hopes and fears. Painfully beautiful and beautifully pained, embodied bearers of a certain Weltschmerz. Ashlyn is her own unique individual, with her own particular struggles, personal successes, and inner depth. But sometimes special artists emerge who hit a nerve and really tap into a collective emotional undercurrent and take on a weight for us all. Lunar archetypes don’t just shine light back, but take common plight and through deep introspection, reflect back with illumination.
Credits
“Abyss” was co-directed by Kennedy Ashlyn and Leigh Violet. The latter runs the film label Visage Irregular and is responsible for the video’s cinematography and impeccable coloring. “Abyss” was impressively shot almost entirely underwater using a homemade periscope.
Lyrics
I’m caught in a moment I know all too well
It looks just like heaven, it burns just like hell
A most vicious cycle, I’m under her spell
I’m caught in the riptide, I know this too well
Yeah once I was high, how quickly I fell
I’m ever heaving, never held
Oh there was a time when I knew for sure
But I don’t remember who I am anymore
In the riptide
I am caught between the memories of suffering
And the pain that finds me now
On the inside I am flayed beneath the promise of tranquility
But the current drags me down
And as I prepare to drown
Through the water shines the sun
And the salt, it stings my tender flesh
I resign to my own impotence
I am helpless, and I blow a gentle kiss
To the ebony abyss
Sleep escapes me, no I never dream
I’m high or I’m low, yeah there’s no in between
A deafening whisper, a silent scream
And I don’t know why my soul disappeared
I don’t know if I like my life
I don’t know why I should face another year
I don’t know how to feel alive
In the riptide
I am caught between the memories of suffering
And the pain that finds me now
On the inside I am flayed beneath the promise of tranquility
But the current drags me down
And as I prepare to drown
Through the water shines the sun
And the heavens light the seas below
They’ve a power I don’t feign to know
And I hope that I find solace in the kiss
Of the ebony abyss
Ever Crashing
Ever Crashing is available for pre-order and will be out on August 19, 2022 via Dais Records. Singles already released so far from the album include “Saved for Summer,” “Used to Love,” and “Someday I Will Bask in the Sun.”
SRSQ recently finished a summer tour with Riki and will hopefully have more upcoming performance dates in the future to promote Ever Crashing once it is released.