Beyond Beyond Beyond

01/11/2025

I have been a big fan of the Crane Wives for a few years now, but I've only just gotten around to listening to this album despite it coming out a few months ago.

As usual with the Crane Wives, the lyricism is beautiful, with lots of nature metaphors. The lead singer has so much raw emotion in her voice and it feels so vulnerable, and the other singers layer wonderfully with her voice. I actually cried a few times while listening to this album for the first time, in part because the emotions in the songs come out strong. I love how many self-referential lyrics there are in this album, not only to other songs on the album but to their previous works as well. The production level of this album is noticeably higher than their previous works. My highlights for the album are Mad Dog, Arcturus Beaming, and Black Hole Fantasy

Song Reviews

Scars

This song is beautifully painful. The narrator believes that they're fundamentally broken and that's caused every bad thing in their life.

Bitter Medicine

A song about enabling your worst destructive habits. It also seems to be about isolating yourself from others so you don't hurt them more, even if it causes you more harm. The narrator doesn't seem themselves worthy of help.

Higher Ground

In the aftermath of a period of self destruction, you don't know how to proceed.

Predator

About an abusive relationship. Initially, she blames herself for the abuse, but comes to recognize it as the fault of her abuser.

Say It

The singer's partner has lost feelings for them, but they want them to say it directly and not leave them hoping they can salvage the relationship.

Mad Dog

Capitalism will make you work yourself down to the bones in an illusion of class mobility, but it will always kick you back down.

Arcturus Beaming

This is such a hopeful song. If you want to move on from your shitty past, you have to find something to look forward to and *hold on*. Genuinely made me cry the first time I listened to it.

Time Will Change You

Change is going to happen, whether you want it or not.

Black Hole Fantasy

Fuck me this a great song. Afraid of admitting to someone you love them so much it's a blackhole consuming you. The only way you can get those moments of happiness with them is to step in.

Red Clay

You can do it the easy way. The gentle melody matches well with the themes of the song.

River Rushing

Honestly this song is the low point of the album for me, which is unfortunate for the closing song. I think it would be better suited in the middle of the album, Red Clay is a more suitable closer in my opinion.