The track “Dead Language” from Idylls serves as a fascinating intersection of linguistic experimentation, spiritual themes, and transcultural symbolism. Perry’s glossolalic vocalizations evoke an ancient, sacred atmosphere, and the phonetic language of the lyrics, when analyzed, reveals layers of meaning that align with the mystical undercurrents of the album.
The translated lyrics, while open to interpretation, highlight key themes that resonate with the band’s larger body of work:
- Time and Transcendence: Lines such as “Kala yey rana” (“Time is the battlefield”) and “Kala yey vana day vana” (“The forest of time, the sacred day in the woods”) reflect a preoccupation with the cyclical nature of existence, time as a spiritual journey, and the interplay between mortality and eternity. These ideas are woven throughout Idylls, echoing the medieval poetic meditations on life’s transience, seen in tracks like “And the Wood Comes Into Leaf.”
- Union with the Divine: The phrase “Sandhi dean nee ca su diva” (“Union with the divine, where light shines eternal”) underscores the spiritual longing present throughout the album. This reflects Perry and Lum’s fascination with mystical traditions, from Indian classical influences to medieval devotional poetry, which seek transcendence and unity with a higher essence.
- Hindu and Mythological References: Names like Varuna, Vishnu, Balarama, and Vasudeva anchor the song in Hindu mythology. These deities, associated with creation, protection, and cosmic order, suggest a universal spiritual framework that transcends specific religious traditions. Such references deepen the transcultural ethos of Idylls and reflect Lum’s exposure to Indian classical music and spiritual philosophy.
- Obscurity and Abstraction: The “obscure” lines in the lyrics (e.g., “An la ji ka ra jumma” and “A kur ran ney da ney yuna”) heighten the sense of mystery and abstraction that defines Love Spirals Downwards’ music. These elements allow listeners to interpret the song subjectively, engaging with its sounds and meanings on an intuitive, emotional level rather than a strictly rational one. This aligns with Perry’s overall approach to language, where invented or “dead” languages evoke feeling rather than explicit narrative.
- The Role of Glossolalia: The repeated refrain “Va vu oo na” (“O divine essence!”) functions as a mantra, channeling the hypnotic qualities of Indian classical music and emphasizing the sacred and meditative nature of the track. This use of glossolalia—partially decipherable yet intentionally abstract—transforms the voice into an instrument, mirroring similar techniques employed by Perry’s contemporaries, such as Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.
Broader Significance to Idylls
The lyrical and musical structure of “Dead Language” reflects the album’s thematic exploration of nature, spirituality, and the abstract beauty of language itself. By drawing on a tapestry of cultural and mythological references—from Hindu deities to the cyclical rhythms of Indian classical music—Love Spirals Downwards creates a transcendent listening experience.
At the same time, the song’s invented language and mysticism align with Idylls’ medieval influences, where archaic texts often combined the natural world with spiritual longing. “Dead Language” situates itself within this tradition, evoking the sacred and timeless through both sound and meaning.
Incorporating “Dead Language” into the Context of the Album
In the context of Idylls, “Dead Language” exemplifies the band’s ability to create transcultural soundscapes that feel ancient and otherworldly. It ties together key threads of the album:
- The medieval poetic influences, mirrored in the cyclical, nature-focused themes.
- The Indian classical inspirations, reflected in the rhythmic vocal repetitions and references to Hindu deities.
- The experimental, abstract nature of Perry’s vocal performance, which uses glossolalia and invented languages to evoke raw emotion and spiritual resonance.
By blending these elements, “Dead Language” becomes more than a song—it is an immersive meditation on the universal search for meaning, spirituality, and connection.
(article written with assistance from OpenAI)