Drawing us in with a descending, astral synthscape, expanding with a dimensional guitar performance and textured drums, Dream Bodies opens Run with a brooding, dark-wave vocal performance that reminds us of The Cure.
We immediately connect with the emotional depth and cerebral value of what manifests. The instrumentation is dynamic, and the prose is laced with poetic prowess. Run is about notions of escape and self-discovery.
We leave behind the city lights and noise, and run into the openness of the desert night in search of freedom and release. The imagery of wind in our hair, floating higher, and chasing something “out there” invites us to break free from constraints and reconnect with a more authentic self.
The symbolism of desert stars shows clarity, truth, and a reminder of the vastness beyond the mundane. At the same time, the lyrics acknowledge that running away may not entirely erase the past. “The ghosts you left” highlights how memories, regrets, or unresolved issues might linger.
All in all the adventure is refined, cinematic and cohesive. We learn that Dream Bodies is the solo project of artist Steven Fleet, who has worked with members of Magic Wands, VV and the Void, Night Nail, and Boytronic, and toured the US/UK/Europe with bands like the Chameleons.
The project is designed to blend post-punk, darkwave, and dreampop, drawing from The Chameleons, The Glove, Clan of Xymox, Sad Lovers and Giants, The Cure, New Order/Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, Sisters of Mercy, Echo and the Bunnymen, Depeche Mode, Molchat Doma, and the KVB, which we can definitely feel come to life, although it is also clear that Steven is on a path of his own!
Speaking on the release, Steven confesses that Run serves as his fifth single and is about “venturing into the unknown, into the dark vastness of possibility. Seeking something in that cloud of unknowing, sensing there’s something out there: a destiny, a purpose not yet fulfilled. Yet, all the while you’re haunted by the past version of yourself that you need to leave behind into order to metamorphose into the you that you wish to become.”
We love the depth and intention that Dream Bodies creates with, and have added Run to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream his preceding four singles, namely Circle of Light, Don’t Look Back (which we previously reviewed), Eclipse, and Dream Hangover.