Valium by Jack Cheshire

Through the widescreen, loping pastoral psychedelia of Valium, Jack Cheshire explores themes of escapism and dissociation amid societal decay. A majestic, slow-burn song which unravels at its own pace, where warm hazy synth clouds shroud Cheshire's inimitable croon, Valium was written, arranged and multi-tracked by Jack in 2021. This first single from the forthcoming new album, Interloper, features long-time collaborator and co-producer Jon Scott (GoGo Penguin, Mulatu Astatke) on drums and was mixed by Shuta Shinoda (Hot Chip, Anna Meredith, Ghostpoet).

'I remember someone describing valium as a 'get out of jail free card' to me once and I've never quite shaken that impression. Wilful detachment from your anxious self, momentarily softening all the hard edges, gliding into a hazy half-wakefulness. One of my overriding takeaways from the last stretch of time has been how exhaustingly grim everything can seem. Sometimes I find myself wishing I didn't care; wishing I was oblivious to it all and cocooned in bliss. Willful detachment comes with a hefty price and I wanted to explore this inclination to disappear and the associated guilt that comes with it.'

Tracklist

1.	Valium	3:59

Lyrics

I want to be a vacant man
I want to climb
I want to be invited in
Detach my mind

See the coastline shimmering
Memory banks are glimmering
But it can't be found
But it can't be found

I want to be inside the cloud
All mesmerised
I want to drop my psychic load
And just recline

Warm fuzz of oblivion
Dancing static valium
Where I can't be found
Where I can't be found

I feel so lazy
Feel so lazy

I feel so lazy
Caught beneath the velvet waves
I feel so lazy
Underneath the violet rays

Credits

released May 24, 2024
Written by Jack Cheshire

Produced by Jon Scott & Jack Cheshire

Vocals, Guitars, Electric Bass, Synths – Jack Cheshire

Drums & Percussion – Jon Scott

Mixed by Shuta Shinoda

Mastered by John Webber at AIR Studios

Artwork & Design by John Gilsenan (iwantdesign.co.uk)

Photography by Mark Arrigo

License