Since their debut in 2021, Billlie has been stunning fans with their strong vocals and musical range. Experimenting with the fun and quirky sounds of “GingaMingaYo,” the rock sounds of “RING ma Bell,” and the nostalgic vibes of “EUNOIA,” the 7-member girl group has consistently shown their musical prowess in adapting to various genres. Their most recent release, “cloud palace ~ false awakening,” is no different, as it features 3 versions of the title track “cloud palace,” each with its own unique sound. The release of these mixes on January 27 was followed by the reveal of 2 additional live performances, which further demonstrated the musical flexibility of the song.
“cloud palace”
The first track of the release is the original version of “cloud palace,” which features a mix of soft and strong vocals. The mystical combination of marimbas and synthetization throughout the song provides a harmonious juxtaposition to the stronger rock sound featured in the chorus.
The lyrics of “cloud palace” carry the overall message of being lost in a repetitive space but refusing to give up on finding the way out. The lyrics towards the end of the song, paired with the strength and layered complexity of the instrumentals, hammer home this conviction to keep moving forward: “I left behind the burning sun, reaching for the moon and stars, Think I’m fooled by the time but I’m not gonna stop, nothing can bring me down.”
“cloud palace (Before moonset mix)”
Despite having the same lyrics, the second track puts a completely different twist on “cloud palace,” leaning heavily into the house genre. The faster tempo and floaty bridge of this mix set the perfect tone for a late-night party or a fashion runway.
“cloud palace (Before moonrise mix)”
The last track slows down the tempo and features a more Latin and Bossa Nova sound, complete with violin strings. With less distinct juxtapositions between the song’s sections, Billlie brings a calmer and soothing perspective to their journey in the cloud palace.
“cloud palace (Before sunset live)”
Leading up to the release of ‘cloud palace ~ false awakening,’ Billlie released a live performance video of yet another rendition of the title track on Jan. 26. The sound is close to the original but with more distinct vocals and instrumentals. This clarity emphasizes the juxtaposition of the strong and soft parts of the song, driving home the coexistence of being lost in a mystical place while also having the conviction and the motivation to keep moving forward.
The soft melodic beginning of the song is nurtured by the calm atmosphere of the members sitting down in an open space. Additionally, the strength of their vocals in the chorus is elevated by the live band, which helps build up to the harmonies and layered vocals towards the end of the song.
“cloud palace (Before sunrise live)”
On January 27, another live rendition of “cloud palace” was released as a sister version to the first video. The (Before sunrise live) sets a different mood from the previous releases, veering into a jazz sound. The location of the video in a warmly lit room emphasizes this genre shift as it feeds into the imagery of a late-night jazz club. In this version, the members also change up the pattern of their singing to match a swing vibe, which is supported by the introduction of saxophones, trumpets, and trombones in their live instrumental. Once again, the group displays their flexibility in musical adaptation by switching the vibe of the song so that it feels completely different yet essentially the same.
Cloud Palaces & False Awakenings: What Does It All Mean?
From the song’s lyrics, we can gather that the group is lost and trying to find their way out; however, the name of the album, ‘cloud palace ~ false awakening’, points to an overarching world being built through Billlie’s discography. The concept of the cloud palace and false awakening was introduced in the following graphic, released on Billlie’s socials leading up to the album’s release.
The mentions of the SUN and MOON palaces firmly cement this release within the world of The Palace Collection, as the titles allude to Billlie’s earlier releases from 2022, “M◐◑N palace” and “$UN palace (Stroop effect)“. Both of these tracks also touch upon the concept of being lost in repetition, which further emphasizes the cloud palace narrative above. Additionally, the allusions to the SUN and MOON palaces seem to manifest within the titles of the different mixes — the moonset/moonrise mixes on the actual album and sunset/sunrise mixes of the live performances.
From the narrative above, we can see that the members have come to a false awakening within the cloud palace, where it appears that they have finally broken free from the repetitive cycles of the SUN and MOON palaces. However, they have yet to actually awaken from their dream and have just made it to the place where they must confront themselves in order to truly wake up and face reality. The caption of the post (“This union is the only way to truly wake up from the dream.”) drives home the point that the only way to break out of the cycle is to face oneself. This story of self-discovery is further elaborated upon in the paragraphs featured in each of the album’s visualizers and at the end of the (Before sunrise live).
With the ‘cloud palace ~ false awakening’ release, Billlie has highlighted the power of their vocals to transcend any genre and has established their prowess in mystical worldbuilding. Furthermore, their open approach towards experimentation has gifted listeners with a song that sounds unique and fresh with each listen.
What’s your favorite version of “cloud palace,” and what are your thoughts on the meaning behind The Palace Collection concept? Let us know in the comments below or on Instagram and Twitter/X!
For more information about the release, read our roundtable interview with Billlie here!
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Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of Mystic Story
