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- October 13, 2021
Let Early Internet whisk you away into a swirling dreamscape with the fourth single off his forthcoming album, titled You’re Just In Time To Miss Everything, set to be released on October 29th. “Clinging To a Dream You Don’t Want to Leave” is drenched in nostalgia and features a sweet-as-candy melody that backs two delicate voices dancing around each other. Featuring additional vocals by Caroline Loveglow and mastered by John Greenham, the track is a driving, forward leap into a hazy and wishful landscape.
Early Internet (Dean Stafford) is the moniker for Austin turned LA turned Seattle-based indie dream-pop artist. You’re Just In Time To Miss Everything is his debut album and as the title suggests, the album lends itself to feelings of missed windows of opportunity – from bad timing, aging, generational shortcomings, or misfortune in general. There are parallels drawn between the state of the world today and the isolation it has spawned – a longing for past places, events, and people. Despite this, the songs don’t relish in melancholy. Rather, they exist in a bittersweet and melodic universe reminiscent of early aughts staples like Jimmy Eat World or Death Cab for Cutie; songs that might serve well as the backdrop for a coming-of-age film – only set in one’s 30s.
Regardless of its subject matter, Dean maintains a conscious effort to arrive at his unanswered questions through a lens of cautious optimism. The album is ultimately an acknowledgement of a need to accept one’s circumstances as they are, while not allowing them to rob oneself of happiness. It’s an affirmation to live in the present moment, where everything actually is.
“Clinging To a Dream You Don’t Want to Leave” contains a beat-driven instrumental line that pushes listeners through the soundscape that is reminiscent of a dream. Even though it’s highly animated, there’s a faint haziness to it as well, partly thanks to the vocal harmonies that twirl between the light strums and synths. About halfway through the track, listeners are treated to a quickly soothing change in sound, one that beckons forth a mellow vibe to break up the driving beats. The track certainly feels like a dream that you don’t want to leave – the distant-but-near sound production paired with melodious vocals leaves listeners with a feeling of longing for something we’re not quite sure of, yet it feels so familiar.
