Establishing the mood with an intricate and dimensional guitar soundscape, Poems open the single, Placebo, with metaphorical depth and a captivating vocal timbre, accompanied by instrumental mastery.
There is a timeless, cinematic allure to the piece, and we appreciate the profound and philosophical message that the song carries. Placebo explores the somewhat relatable tension between emotional presence and disconnection.
The message reflects a yearning for intimacy while grappling with notion of inner emptiness and confusion. The repeated imagery of being on the couch, with a head in the ceiling, suggests the concept of dissociation or being mentally lost.
The song also manifests a sense of fleeting comfort in physical closeness, contrasted by emotional instability and pretence. Overall, the band question the authenticity of connection and the fragile state of the self in relationships.
We learn that Placebo is part of the band’s upcoming EP, which is centred around “prescription drug use and its help getting through adolescence.” Each track, including Placebo of course, is riddled with anxious lyrical melodies, this is further brought life by the accompanying artwork!
We learn that Poems is a five-piece band consisting of Philip Ernest, Grayson Hagopian, Zae Howell, Jeremy Smucker, and Sammuel McCubbin. The creators cite Interpol, Hippocampus, The Wallows, and The National as sonic influences, which we can feel come through in their sound, although there is no doubt that Poems are manifesting a universe of their own.
Naturally, we have added Placebo to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we await their incoming record, and continue to stream the wider discography of Poems, including their 2024 single, Greta Garbo, and their EP, West Coast!