Juniper & Helium is my new sonic and lyrical experimentation for Sound and Music's 'Interpreting Isolation' grant, a musical project in response to the COVID-19 lockdown and its impact on creatives. Hosted by the British Music Collection.
The track is structured in two parts, 'Juniper' (Part 1) and 'Helium' (Part 2). The stark contrast in mood and sonorities becomes apparent as you follow the artist on a reflective journey: unpacking social interactions, managing expectations, opening up about anxiety, holding on to ambition, embracing solitude, creative bursts, finding inspiration, contemplating nature and dreaming of outer space possibilities.
Juniper & Helium is my dark side of the moon. With this track, I revisited my emo and alternative rock influences, while reimagining the sound of abstract hip hop. The bass line has a miraculous funk edge, while the drum n' bass outburst in 'Helium' (Part 2) was a revelation. I give thanks to Ben Stelly and Claudio Finelli, respectively, for their contributions.
Special thanks to Sound & Music UK for funding this project.
About 'Juniper & Helium'
Produced by Shunaji
Vocals: Shunaji
Backing vocals: Shunaji
Bass: Bienvenue
Drums: Claudio Finelli
Programming: Shunaji
Synths: Shunaji
Mixed by James Yarde
Mastered by Andrew Baldwin at Metropolis Studios
Special thanks to Sound & Music UK for funding this project.
lyrics
Stay inside my mind, stay safe and sound
Another day, another day, another day
The world keeps moving, I stay right on (time)
The world keeps moving, I stay right on (time)
If the world keeps moving, the music gets me grooving
Everything’s still until you put it in a movie
Truth be told, I’m far too old to keep doing it
Caught in a pattern and I’m losing it - but
I take a turn and see that Saturn is the second-largest
Planet after Jupiter, the juniper is rooted in a cypress
It’s the cypher of my moodiness, I’m hyper
Radioactive clouds are acid like the tactics
I provide with all my antics
Antiques and metamorphoses mystique
Open the window take a peek,
Our isolation is the hardest peak to climb
A thousand metres high when you’re inside it
I can’t describe it but I’m healing from it
The fear of missing the myth, socialisation’s a bliss
Wave at the silent critiques and cat-calling - why?
I take a minute, read a warning - uh
Another night, another morning...
Stay inside my mind, stay safe and sound
Another day, another day, another day
The world keeps moving, I stay right on (time)
The world keeps moving, I stay right on (time)
I recollect myself in motions inside my shell,
I’m notioned to disguise my mind and eyes
And all the while...
No, no, no no, was never apt to the socialisation
I’ve never been, never bothered *sigh*
Tony’s Ba-da-bing is not so fly,
Why, why, why, why, why, why…
You, you, you, you, you
Tell me, tell me, what have I done?
Tell me, what I’ve done
Where do I belong?
Never wanted none
Awful, see I’m gone
I do not belong
Put that in your song,
Helium, helium, helium uh-oh
Walk like a paradox, I’m orthodox
Like orthopaedic monologues
I’d rather not chat with a bot
I much prefer the analogue analogies
In my own messed up fantasies
And nightmares, you visualise them
The planet’s made of helium
You deal with it Cecilia
I’m with ya, but let’s be real
Dollar bills come with a price
I’m wise and so experienced
I’d follow my advice,
The chase eventually becomes demise
And it demoralises ...
I’ve got no morals I’m a hue
Be nice and white like Donahue
Then everyone gon’ like you
Cause everyone’s gone like
And you’re left there confused
The shoe may fit the foot
I think the dress not your size
It’s understood we’re out of sight
Now there's a simulation taking place
Inside my mind
It’s time to say goodbye
My ancestors would say
it’s time to live your fate
It’s time to live your fate
It’s time to live your fate
Maybe one day you'll be great
Tell me, what I’ve done
Where do I belong?
Never wanted none
Awful, see I’m gone
I do not belong
Put that in your song,
Helium, helium, helium uh-oh
supported by 9 fans who also own “Juniper & Helium”
Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell
Zambian rapper and producer Abstract Sekai fuses golden era hip-hop with ambient sound design and a heady cosmic philosophy. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 17, 2023
supported by 7 fans who also own “Juniper & Helium”
We turned on to Emma Jean at Monterey Jazz Fest, and she's the reason I went from 'ehhh I'm not sure I like Acid Jazz and I sure as hell don't like fusion" to "what the hell is *this awesome galactic brilliance?!* A rare talent and a damn fine slab of wax that I have on heavy rotation. I love many tracks including 'Spectre', and i wonder to myself how much it owes to Kate Bush's spectral "Watching You Without Me." jaxers
