“Summer’s Gate,” the closing track on the double album 17 Birds at the Summer’s Gate, isn’t your typical single—and that’s exactly the point. Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends, the solo project of former REDMOON guitarist and vocalist (also known as Alien Friend), has never been about chasing radio trends or crafting hits that fit neatly into three-minute windows. With this sprawling 12-minute piece, the artist has carved out something that feels both cinematic and deeply personal—an epic in the truest sense of the word.
Let’s be clear from the start: “Summer’s Gate” isn’t for everyone. It’s not built for playlists that shuffle pop tracks or for casual listeners seeking easy hooks. But if you’re someone who’s drawn to the long-form storytelling of 70s progressive rock—think Pink Floyd at their most contemplative—or to music that dares to stretch out and breathe, then this track offers a rare kind of reward.
Written in 2020, the song predates some of the major global events of the past few years—the war in Ukraine, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and the general uncertainty that continues to cloud 2025. And yet, somehow, the lyrics feel eerily relevant. That’s one of the most compelling things about “Summer’s Gate”: its emotional foresight. There’s a timelessness in the way the words reflect on the human condition, on loss, hope, and history.
The track unfolds gradually, with folky melodies and bluesy guitar lines winding through layered instrumentation. There’s a patience in its structure, a kind of musical storytelling that isn’t rushed. The artist himself admits that the track is the closest he’s come to writing an epic, and that’s not an overstatement. It moves through different phases—quiet introspection, melodic crescendos, even moments of near-psychedelic drift—without ever losing its center.
While the song—and much of the double album—draws from the musical vocabulary of the 60s and 70s, there’s no sense of nostalgia for its own sake. Instead, these sounds are recontextualized. The folk elements feel grounded, the indie rock textures are modern, and the production—co-led by David Myhr of The Merrymakers—keeps everything warm and cohesive without feeling retro.
The standout moment, however, is the stunning guitar solo that closes the track. Played by Daniel Lagerlöf, also a former member of REDMOON, the coda is achingly beautiful. It doesn’t aim to impress with speed or complexity, but with emotional precision. It lingers, long after the song fades out, like a memory you can’t quite shake.
“Summer’s Gate” is part of a larger story. In 2021 and 2022, Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends released several singles and the double album that houses this track, combining influences from power pop, indie rock, and folk. That era leaned heavily on the British and American sounds of the mid-to-late 20th century—but always with a fresh lyrical perspective. With 2023’s No Sweets for E, the project shifted toward Americana and even hints of 50s songwriting.
Now, the artist is looking in yet another direction: Swedish folk music. Upcoming releases promise new textures and ideas, proving once again that this is a project committed to evolution.
“Summer’s Gate” is not just a song—it’s an experience. It demands your attention, and if you give it that, it will give you something back. It’s the sound of an artist reflecting deeply, writing honestly, and refusing to compromise. In a musical landscape often built on brevity and algorithms, this 12-minute track is a quiet act of resistance.
For fans of Pink Floyd, for lovers of sprawling storytelling in song, and for anyone craving music that means something, “Summer’s Gate” is well worth the listen. Even if it doesn’t fit on every playlist, it might just find a permanent place in your heart.
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