Diving into the Depths: Sub Life – The New EP & Dystopian Story by King Sleep

If you’re looking for music that doesn’t just play in the background but pulls you under the surface into a fully realised world, then Sub Life is for you. Released on Bandcamp by King Sleep, this EP is a musical amalgamation of alt indie, dream pop, and electronica. But it’s so much more than an EP. It’s also a story.

The Underwater Dystopia

Sub Life is an underwater dystopia, the escape from which is the plight of our protagonist. It is a thought-provoking narrative that mirrors our own reality. As the title track suggests, “you won’t get out of here with both eyes closed.”

The three tracks – Into the Sea, Sublife, and Big Blubber – form a subaquatic, psycho-sensory journey through a watery underworld. Listen here: https://kingsleep.bandcamp.com/album/sublife-2.

Literary Inspirations

To set the tone, the story draws inspiration from literary giants. George Orwell’s words resonate deeply:

“He felt as though he were wandering in the forests of the sea-bottom, lost in a monstrous world where he himself was the monster. He was alone. The past was dead, the future was unimaginable. What certainty had he that a single human creature now living was on his side? And what way of knowing that the dominion of the party would not endure forever?”

This chilling exchange from Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World also echoes through the narrative:

“The optimum population,” said Mustapha Mond, “is modelled on the iceberg; eight ninths below the water line, one ninth above.”

“And they’re happier below the water line.”

That’s the world our characters inhabit – a submerged society where the elite promise paradise but deliver control.

A Reflection on Society

Sub Life isn’t just an album – it’s a mirror. It comments on surveillance, escapism, and the seductive lie that staying below the waterline will make everything okay. As the story unfolds across the EP’s tracks, you’ll feel the pressure of the ocean above and the quiet horror of never quite knowing if the view outside your lifepod is real or the deepest of deepfakes.

The Journey Begins

If you’re new here, start with the title track Sublife and let the story pull you under. Then explore the rest. You won’t get out with both eyes closed… but you might see the surface world a little differently afterwards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sub Life is not merely an EP; it is an experience. It invites you to dive deep into its soundscapes and narratives. Each track is a step further into the depths of introspection.

As you listen, consider the themes presented. They resonate with our current societal landscape. The allure of escapism is strong, but so is the need for awareness.

Discover more at kingsleep.org.