Stellar Sounds- Slip, Bearings

Following along with the album title of where this Bearings track belongs, this song explores, “The Best Part of Being Human,” by engaging the listener to a dream-like trance. This song explains the dreamlike feel when you are enraptured by someone you like. To mirror this feeling, the instrumental section at the beginning of the song opens with a smooth guitar riff. It is a perfect vibe for playing Mario Kart along the rainbow bridge to reach someone you like, as it really captures the feeling of being smitten. The riff has parts where the notes are being dragged out, and fills the space in the song. It also brings a slow dance aura. It’s the kind of song that is played when dancing with a loved one at a dance. Thus, cementing the idea of intimacy in the song. 

As Doug sings, “Under the snow would you be my angel?” Sharing the thought of making a snow angel and naming his smitten person as “angel.” Doug follows along with themes of a heaven landscape, and liminal feeling. On the edge of reality. 

He continues with, “Under the stars would you be my light, A glimmer of love in an endless timeline So lost and that was alright,” Repeating the thought of surreal landscapes with breath taking views solidifying the dream-like feel of the song. A sense of timelessness, and not keeping track of time is highlighted along with a sense of enchantment is instilled. Doug makes this feeling aware to the listener to make them feel enraptured by the sights described, which mirrors the feeling of being smitten.

The song also touches on the awkward feelings that come when talking to the person you like. Doug sings, “I’m hearing silence on the other line, I’ve been looking for the right time.” This is further complimented by the catchy chorus where Doug sings, “I’ve been slippin’ up around you all this time, been slippin’ up around you.” The disjointed sentences contribute to the catchiness of the song and instill a sense of tongue-tiredness when interacting with someone you like. A tempo change in the second verse reflects the sense of tension in these awkward moments. There is a juxtaposition between the mood of the song, and the lyrics of the song. As the mood instills a sense of enchantment, while the lyrics reflect a sense of disjointed and awkward feeling. Thus adding a layer of complexity to the song, which highlights the complexity of human emotion.

Being a person who is shy, my awkward feelings are magnified when talking to a person that I like. The feeling of slipping on my words is intensified, just like in the song when the tempo changes. The dream-like feeling comes when you feel that person also shares the same feelings with you. I always feel like I am trying to keep my head above the water when talking to someone I like.

The themes in slip are universal to our experiences, as humans when liking a new person. The song reflects on the dreaminess of being smitten and the awkwardness of interacting with that special person. Thus, enriching our experience as a human.

The themes in “Slip” are universal to our experiences of being smitten. The song reflects on the dreaminess of a new love interest and the awkwardness of interacting with that special person. Thus, uncovering the vastness of emotions of being human. As conveyed in the album title, these feelings are what contribute to, “The Best Part of Being Human.”