Porcelain Eyes - "Shambhala"

Words by Nick D’Amore

"Shambhala," the debut single from Adelaide, Australia’s Porcelain Eyes, announces itself as cosmic disco, with a wavy phase-shifted guitar line with some nice wah-type touches atop. But, once the groove settles in and carries us to the chorus, we're hanging at a different party. Part space-age lounge, part psych journey, Tom Wormald (songwriter, guitarist, and producer behind Porcelain Eyes) never gets too far ahead or outside himself. The song remains sublime with guitar and vocal effects appearing at opportune times. Wormald's production is clean and crisp, but not sterile. Cozy and comfortable, but not worn. The dynamics lift us so we float toward...something. Shambhala, sometimes also known as "Shangri-La" is a mythical kingdom, a paradise, in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. As Wormald says on the Porcelain Eyes’ Bandcamp: "People have been looking for Shambhala for a long time, and they can’t find it. It serves as a nice little metaphor for things we long for, but can’t have." This tune may not get you there, but the scenery will be nice.

Stream “Shambhala” on Spotify and stay tuned for more tunes from Porcelain Eyes via the Melbourne based label Dead Family Pets. Follow the band on Instagram and like them on Facebook.