Eternal Summers struggles with hopelessness in new single “Motionless”

Eternal Summers | photo by Tom Daly | courtesy of the artist

Eternal Summers have written so many shining and delightful dream pop songs over their four albums that it might seem like they have it down to a science. It’s harder to stay positive than the band usually lets on, though — especially in today’s world, with our daily onslaught of bad, concerning, confusing and all around weird news.

Despite the sunny sheen of their songs, Eternal Summers’ forthcoming fifth LP is called Every Day It Feels Like I’m Dying…, and “Motionless,” the album’s just-released third single, is a song in the same vein. In frustrated lyrics, vocalist Nicole Yun sings of a feeling of helplessness and asks answerless questions like “How can I change my point of view to what’s true?” At the same time, Eternal Summers give the song the underlying sense of positivity that we all need to keep going.

Yun told The Line of Best Fit:

“I am addicted to my phone, news and constant media, as I think many people are. I’m working on it! Anyway, during the time of the inauguration in the US and the months following, the constant feed of bad news felt unbearable. The lyrics then seemed to form from several feelings – the frustration due to a lack of control in a failing world, the desperation to know the exact truth despite a dishonest government or the contradicting stories in the media, and the earnest desire to do more for others without the exact knowledge of how. Despite this laundry list of murky and insecure feelings, ‘Motionless’ became a hopeful and joyous song, the opening track of the album, and one of which we are very proud.”

Listen to “Motionless” here, and check out the previous two singles from the album below. Every Day It Feels Like I’m Dying… is out May 4. Eternal Summers plays Boot & Saddle on June 14 with Très Oui and Overlake, and Little Amps in Harrisburg on June 8. Find more information on both shows on the XPN Concert Calendar and read The Key’s recent interview with the band here.