The end of March will coincide with the release of Crawl Space, Tei Shi's much anticipated debut album. A second music video - for "How Far" - has been released, fuelling further anticipation of the New York via Buenos Aires singer-songwriter's compelling explorations the process of maturation and self-discovery, which involves "moving forward through constraining situations and being able to centre oneself".
While similarly preoccupied with motion, "How Far" ups the ante from "Keep Running" in terms of urgency and catharsis. The guitar-driven psychedelic R&B track begins with Tei Shi's impeccably smooth vocals, but hints of unease and emotional dissonance are immediately detectable:
'I am alone in this placeDon’t you be fooled by these hands on meIt’s a fantasy, oh, but everything is too realIs this a part of the game?A friendly exchange of blame, if you pleaseWe’ll talk of the things that we hate in ourselvesAs if weWe’ll changeAnd we’ll changeAnd we’ll changeAnd we’ll changeAnd let’s seeHow far it can take usBefore it forsakes us?It pleases you to say you’re sorry when you’re notIt’s a dangerous slip of the tongueIf it pleases you to see me strugglingI will talk of the things that I hate in myself'
Lyrics: Genius
As with "Bassically", her best known single thus far, "How Far" examines the fine line a relationship can thread between personal salvation and self-destruction: "'How Far' talks about the process of attempting to change one another in a relationship, and the final desperate point — the last attempt — before acceptance" (The FADER). When the song hits its third act - when Tei Shi's characteristically delicate vocals escalate into a powerful siren-like wail - the desperation becomes astoundingly palpable:
'If it pleases you to say you’re sorry, well, I'm notIt’s a dangerous slip of the tongueAnd if it pleases you to see me struggling, I willI told you I was coming for youWe’ll changeAnd we’ll changeAnd we’ll changeAnd we’ll changeAnd let's...How far it can take me before it forsakes me?How far it can take me before it forsakes me?How far it can take me before it forsakes me?How far it can take me before it forsakes me?'
