Review: So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth (Grimes)

Grimes released a new song called So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth. Here’s what we’re talking about:

I like the visualizer. I love the content of it; however, it’s not something you can watch. It, like the song itself, is great background, but it’s not something you can actively focus on. Compared to other videos from Grimes, even ones which aren’t full music videos (like We Appreciate Power and the Bloodpop remix), it’s not my favorite, though I do love the imagery. Grimes always has great aesthetic and great visual art; what’s missing here is that the animation of the ‘knight’ feels inorganic.

The song itself, I didn’t like much at first, partially because I expected something quite different. I expected the sort of upbeat mythology-infused electropop Grimes is usually known for. In an interview she once described her pop as “music that just makes you feel good” or something along those lines (I’m too lazy to look up the quote). And this is not that; for one thing, it’s more dark like We Appreciate Power & her contribution to BMTH’s Nihilist Blues. But on top of that, it’s also much slower. Grimes tends to have these fast-paced beats and claps; this is a much slower piece.

After spending some time with it, I do like it. It was great as background music at the gym. It definitely succeeds at creating the mood that I suspect it’s trying to create. It would also be great at a lowkey house party where the lights are off, or in a modern speakeasy around 1 AM if it’s half-empty. Both settings I can get behind.

Not jumping to the top of my playlist from Grimes (that remains held firm by Flesh without Blood and Realiti), but I do like it. I wouldn’t skip it.

By the way, the visual art for this upcoming album is wild. I really like it. It’s sort of a combination of traditional high fantasy and deep space.