During our personal discovery, we often encounter flashes of introspection that make us reflect on our identity and the environment around us, leading us to question if we are truly heading in the right direction or if we are simply the result of a collection of past experiences and influences that have shaped us.
With this premise, the band Milk St. hailing from the city of Bangor, Maine, invites us to explore this theme with their new single titled "Peyote," which is an incredible and profound reflection that makes us question: Are we truly free to create our own identity, or are we destined to repeat past patterns?
About the Band
Hailing from the Pine Tree State, Milk St. emerges as a Northeast Emo band. Though their roots date back to 2018 under the name Spaced, the band officially adopted the name Milk St. in 2022, coinciding with the release of their debut album, "Spaced" - a homage to their original name. The trio consists of founding vocalist and guitarist Jonah Wakefield, bassist Gabe Chambers, and drummer Harry Burns.
The release of their first album was a significant milestone in Milk St.'s career, establishing their musical identity and drawing attention from the music scene. However, their true breakthrough came with two highly successful singles: "I'm Sorry That I Left You (On New Year's Day)" and "Just Lust." These songs have been enthusiastically received by the audience and have solidified the band's position as an emerging force in the genre.
Milk St. has managed to captivate their followers with their distinctive emotional style and profound lyrics. Their music, infused with an energetic punk aesthetic combined with the emotive nature of Emo, has resonated with the audience, attracting fans from all over.
About The Release:
"Peyote" is the latest musical work by the band Milk St., officially released on July 12, 2023.
This song invites us to an introspective experience within a mind disturbed by internal conflicts that seek to break free from identity patterns and the constant search for self-discovery. "Peyote" is part of what will be their EP "Vermont," set to be released in September 2023, which was born from the recent inclusion of Harry Burns as the drummer in the band. This motivated them to return to the studio and continue their musical journey.
“Peyote is about realizing your parents aren’t always right and that any new perspectives you take on may be influenced by the mental illness passed down hereditarily to you. Ultimately, you’re left feeling horrified that you can’t escape the thing that influences their different opinions and outlooks, to the point where you accidentally seek those traits in the people you date - you’re left stuck in this cycle of having the same sort of people in your life over and over.”
Jonah Wakefield (Singer)
In-depth Analysis
The first thing that surprises us when listening to this song is its imposing organic sound, with a wide presence of acoustic instruments. From the beginning, it's possible to appreciate the strumming of an electric guitar with a soft overdrive sound, accompanied by an acoustic guitar that, together, perform power-chords type riff characteristic of punk rock sound, marking the initial chords of the song. The inclusion of the acoustic guitar adds an aesthetic detail that immediately becomes attractive and catchy to the listener.
However, the guys from Milk St. have decided to add their own personal touch, as within a few seconds of the song starting, it's also noticeable the presence of sounds that seem to come from instruments like the sitar and a banjo, which is a clear expression of their own, distinctly defined musical identity.
From the first vocal lines, a very interesting lyrical composition is presented, as if the narrator is engaging in an internal conversation with himself, where his own mind takes the lead role. It's almost as if we step inside his head for four intense minutes.
The song, through its lyrics, evokes a profound reflection on how childhood experiences and emotional heritage can shape our view of the world and our relationships. This hypothesis is clearly mentioned in phrases like "Stuck in this vicious cycle, Should I go to work or go to hell," suggesting that the negative patterns transmitted to the protagonist seem to have no simple solution. The line; "Maybe we just need some cartoon bandaids, For the cracks he left When he offed himself" expresses symbolically a superficial attempt to hide emotional wounds left by past traumas.
This reflection makes us wonder: Are we truly free to create our own identity, or are we destined to repeat past patterns? The struggle to escape from this seemingly unbreakable spiral leads the protagonist to seek emotional independence, to free himself from inherited influences, and to find his true self.
It is interesting to note that the vocal interpretation is closely correlated with this monologue-like composition and also with its central theme, as melodies sung and spoken voices with an energetic and altered tone are constantly combined, evoking a sense of losing self-control as the story unfolds, perfectly reflecting the tumultuous and conflicting emotions the protagonist goes through and the internal chaos experienced while seeking liberation and finding their true identity.
When Peyote is mentioned, "He says Peyote could help you see Jesus Christ Himself But hey man I don't wanna trip right now I think I just need some self-help," it represents a clear example of the conflict many of us face when we must reconsider our priorities. Existential doubts invade our minds and prevent us from even considering shallow solutions that might allow us to momentarily forget them.
Another highly notable aspect regarding the instrumental composition and one of the musical resources that undoubtedly stands out in this release is its remarkable use of soundscapes. At the beginning of the song, we encounter sounds resembling wind and seagulls, and later, during the bridge of the song, there is an imposing presence of murmurs and voices in the background, as if it were a party, which seems to demonstrate that the issues afflicting the protagonist always accompany him, even during those moments when he tries to relax and unwind.
"Peyote" is a powerful song that invites us to give necessary space to our minds when existential doubts trouble us, showing that true freedom lies in the importance of asking ourselves these types of questions and being more aware of whether we are truly willing to stumble upon the same rock or forge our own path in life.
Milk St. Online
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