“Die To Wake Up From A Dream” is the 9-minute title track of MF Tomlinson’s upcoming album, set to release on July 11th. The album is a meditation on the human experience, and this track specifically anchors the album with its swelling crescendos and lyrical depth. “It speaks to the sensation of drowning in the years. Scenes flash by so fast we soon realize we are in a dream, then a nightmare,” Tomlinson says about the title track. The concept of dying to wake up from a dream reflects a sense of control and an awareness of one’s inner strength to achieve freedom and embrace the present moment. To Tomlinson, life and dreams should be treated no differently from one another, as both are integral parts of the human experience.
“When you die in a dream you are safe. When you die in a dream you dream another dream. This is the deus ex machina for us all to remember – that for most, when things seem darker than ever, happiness still exists beyond the tiny parameters that we have set for it. In realising your own power you set yourself free – not one day, but right now. This song is a treatise on resilience, hope and the frankly wildly psychedelic experience of being alive.”
On “Die To Wake Up From A Dream,” MF Tomlinson contrasts his deep, country-style vocals with stanzas of vocoder-infused lyrics, creating a textured listening experience. The soaring, mystical flute introduced midway through the track’s instrumentation propels it into the next phase of the song, where additional instruments and swells emerge. With his heartfelt voice paired with a triumphant trumpet, the track builds toward a sense of optimism for the future. It nearly collapses on itself at the end, serving as a metaphor for the jolt of consciousness experienced when waking from a dream.
“Die To Wake Up From A Dream” is released ahead of MF Tomlinson’s third album Die To Wake Up From A Dream, out July 11th on PRAH Recordings. Pre-order available here.
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