Exhale by James Blackwell

A story of dreams, irrational fears, and self-empowerment.
This concept album is intended to be enjoyed and appreciated as a whole.

1) Goodnight
Another day of the same. Tomorrow will be no different.

2) And so I Dream
My experiences are given back to me, incoherently jumbled and ever fascinating. I find great pleasure in the familiarly irrational.

3) Visions of a Time Beyond Time
Suddenly, I am overcome with visions from a reality I do not understand. Ancestors, archetypes, and paragons crowd my senses. I know nothing of this place or these people, yet all of it is strangely familiar. I find myself lost in these pleasurable sensations, as alien as they may be.

4) Ambushed
The visions saturate reality, and that which I saw in my visions now surround me. A primitive people remain, and they do not take kindly to my presence. I see but a shallow reflection of humanity in their eyes, and hold the worst of superstition and savagery. I don’t know why, but they have taken me with them against my will.

5) The Mark of Death
Condemned to death, but why? My mere presence has offended these brutes. They know I am nothing like them, but I don’t know what they see in me. With exuberance, they chain me at the centre of their village, and give the call in preparation for their ritual.

6) Exhalation
Did I awake just for a moment? Am I sure that this is not just another dream? I am paralysed by fear. I do not deserve this.

7) Ceremony
In a circle, they gather round me. I see some smash rocks together, and others play crude instruments poorly. Most partake in a frenzied dance. This ritual is for me, they will kill me tonight.

8) Last Breath
In silence, the blade is taken from the effigy. It is held up to the night sky. It is brought to me. I am held down, as they spill my blood.

9) My Spirit Wanders
Now immaterial, I walk aimlessly through tableaus of familiar scenes and unwitnessed outcomes. Did I really do these things? How could I be so blind as to how I treated others? I have hurt everyone around me, just so I could get things I didn’t really want.
At the peak of my despair, I start to hear a familiar song. They are calling me. Those savages are inviting me into their circle, but where am I going?

10) I am Reborn
Where is this place? This no longer feels like a dream. This shapeless land has nothing I recognise. In the distance there is a mist. Have I really died, and what lies beyond the mist? First, I walk forward with hesitation, not knowing if I should take the only path forward. Then, I walk forward with certainty, knowing that this is my only choice. I don’t know what awaits me on the other side, but I will face my face fears and go forth.

11) Inhale
I awake, and look around to see that I am still safely in my bed. I have a new yearning to do better in life, and right the many wrongs I have committed. I will start today.

Each release is a story set to music.

The soundtracks I have done for video games can be found here:
https://jamesblackwellost.bandcamp.com/