The topic of phase states (lucid dreams, out-of-body experiences, and sleep paralysis) is becoming increasingly popular in popular culture. Just recently, the Juice WRLD’s remix of “Lucid Dreams” that we wrote about was released. Hot on its heels, another hit single is broaching the subject: “Melatonin” by UPSAHL, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Los Angeles.
According to the All Music website, the singer, whose real name is Taylor Upsahl, began her music career at the age of 14. Her father is a veteran of touring bands, and her grandparents were music teachers.
The song begins as a dramatic piano ballad in which the singer tries to express her feelings: she suffers from an overabundance of emotions, which has led to insomnia. The melody then transforms into a playful pop song with catchy dance rhythms. According to UPSAHL, she wanted “people to be able to dance in their dreams and have a little fun while they can’t sleep.”
The video, on the other hand, contains depictions of sleep paralysis. According to the magazine Paper, the video turns the abstract state of sleep paralysis into a physically tangible one. However, the imagery is still that of a vague figure – sometimes black, sometimes bright white – whose human shape can only be determined by its contours. This shadow dances with the singer, sometimes capturing her as if in a desire to strangle her. In the words of UPSAHL herself, she goes “on a journey with this sleep paralysis character, ultimately leading to a nightmare.”
The official release of the music video took place on June 11, 2021.
