Stories of worlds beyond our reality have dominated our culture since it began. What people often fail to realize is that a big reason these fictional tellings are so meaningful is that they’re laced with themes derivative of real life. Music is no different, and as politics’ role in music continues to evolve, the sci-fi lyrics embedded in Slift’s heavy-psychedelic sound show that they are not ones to bend the knee.
Hailing from Toulouse, France, the trio consisting of two brothers and their high school friend has made a name for itself with fantastic space-age storytelling. Their latest LP, Fantasia, is a concept album about a nomad who soon discovers that the city he’s found himself in is hiding a web of tyranny and corruption behind a veil of prosperity. The album progresses from a sense of dread and societal amnesia fueled by xenophobia to resistance, which finally swells into the penultimate track, “The Day of Execution”. It is an album that spends its entire runtime exploring how easy it is for societies to succumb to corruption and collective fear, then ends with an open-ended turning of the metaphorical mirror back onto the listener with “Secret Mirror”. Slift’s creative writing, immersive soundscapes, and intense blend of genres made it a no-brainer for me to cover their show when they came to town.
Opening the night was the edgy art-rock group from Oakland, Gumby’s Junk. Bassist Emmalee Johnson-Kao, guitarist Jas Stade, and drummer Eli Streich delivered a chaotic and unique sound through their expedited set. Featuring varying riffs, changing time signatures, drowned vocals, and impressive drum solos, their performance was something that truly felt like it came out of your neighbor’s garage, which isn’t accidental. Although the flow of their set was a bit choppy, which prevented them from building momentum from track to track, it presented a sense of relatability and humbleness that seems to be a huge part of their identity. The laid-back and stripped-down feeling of their set provided plenty of room for Slift to execute their space opera of a performance.
As Slift took the stage draped in a projection of psychedelic visuals, a sense of dark heaviness enveloped the room. A slow build of heavy bass and barking vocals provided a surge of energy in the crowd, culminating in a large mosh pit. Infectious energy from bassist Rémi Fossat and powerful delivery from vocalist and guitarist Jean Fossat, tied together by Canek Flores’ steady drumming, carried their marvelous set until the end. The epic delivery of their catalog was equal parts gorgeous and foreboding, highlighted by performances of “A Storm of Wings”, “The Day of Execution”, and their biggest song, “Ummon”. After several heavier songs, the show came to an end with a grandiose rendition of “Secret Mirror”, which is best described as a space-age symphony and the best representation of the band’s variety. This group’s raw intensity, displayed under a sea of beautiful abstract imagery, perfectly demonstrated their passion, message, and talent. Whether you’re a fan of the hardcore scene, progressive rock, or fantastic stage production, Slift is a must-see.
