Carey Clayton’s latest release, Headless, emerges as a profound and eclectic concept album, rooted in the artist’s meditative practices and mindfulness insights. A culmination of inward exploration, this album is Clayton’s boldest project to date, showcasing a rich tapestry of sounds and themes that reflect fleeting moments of epiphany and deep spiritual yearning. With its lush synths, interweaving guitars, ethereal vocals, intricate percussion, and evolving textures, Headless presents a kaleidoscopic and ever-shifting musical landscape.
Headless draws heavily from Clayton’s experiences in meditation, aiming to crystallize the ephemeral insights gained during these practices. Each track on the album represents an attempt to capture and make tangible the fleeting glimpses and flashes of insight encountered during meditative states. Clayton’s exploration of the concept of “headlessness” — a first-person experience where the perception of one’s own head is replaced by the surrounding world — is particularly profound. This perspective leads to a dissolution of the self, where thoughts, feelings, and emotions become interconnected with the external world.
The album is eclectic, yet it predominantly resides within the realm of psych and indie rock. Influences from Radiohead and Unknown Mortal Orchestra are apparent, but Clayton melds these inspirations into fresh and blooming arrangements. The music serves as a vehicle for exploring the insights derived from meditation, with each song acting as a musing on a specific concept. The album opens with an introductory track that serves as a prelude, foreshadowing the themes and sounds that will unfold throughout the journey.
Track Analysis:
1. The Gate: This track delves into the dissolution of the self, with the music reflecting the transformative experience of headlessness. Ethereal vocals and intricate percussion create a sense of transcendence.
2. Infinite Figure: With lush synths and interweaving guitars, this song explores the concept of infinity and interconnectedness. The evolving textures mirror the ever-changing nature of meditative insights.
3. Self Portraits: This piece contemplates the nature of self-identity, using a mix of ethereal vocals and complex musical arrangements to convey the shifting perception of self.
4. Reflector: The track focuses on the reflective nature of headlessness, where the external world fills the space once occupied by the head. The intricate percussion and lush synths create a meditative soundscape.
Headless is enriched by the contributions of numerous musical collaborators, including Eric Derwallis, Sam Merrick, Danny Wolf, Josh Bailey, Steve Brickman, Kayla Starr, Katherine Shuman, Giosue Greco, and Joao Gonzalez. This diverse range of musical voices enhances the album’s depth and complexity, adding various layers and textures to Clayton’s foundational work.
The visuals for Headless, created in collaboration with brothers Joao and Joan Gonzalez, further explore the album’s themes of identity and interconnectedness. Featuring a completely reflective chrome helmet, the individual song visuals and the trailer short film emphasize the shift between self-identification and a broader identification with the world.
Carey Clayton, a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles, has had a dynamic career. Initially gaining recognition as a guitarist and contributing member of indie pop act Great Good Fine Ok, Clayton has produced and written for a plethora of indie artists and collaborators. His previous solo efforts, *Matinee* and *Blind Eye*, released in 2020, followed by *gradually, suddenly* in 2021, have been critically acclaimed. Clayton has toured internationally and has a significant presence in the world of film and TV music, with placements on major networks and brands.
Headless stands as a testament to Carey Clayton’s artistic evolution and spiritual journey. It rewards listeners willing to delve into its depths with a rich, immersive experience. In an age where attention spans are fleeting, *Headless* encourages a return to thoughtful, introspective listening. As Clayton continues to explore and push the boundaries of his music, this album marks a significant milestone in his career, blending spiritual insight with musical innovation to create a truly unique and profound work.
Connect with CAREY CLAYTON on
English