Sunday Centrifuge
About This Track
"Sunday Centrifuge" captures the specific, heavy atmosphere of a Sunday afternoon where time seems to stop or loop back on itself. It explores the concept of the "comfort trap"—sitting in a pleasant blue room while the world spins rapidly outside.
In this song, I tried to get unusual instrumentation - something that would be unlikely to be present in any significant quantity of training samples. The phrase I attempted to generate was "electric violin." Doing so required about 50 attempts, but you can hear the results in the bridge and final chorus. It's difficult to imagine that there are many recordings of what is considered an experimental instrument, but the model generated it, with vibrato and everything.
I also wanted to cause the model to output something that doesn't sound like traditional pop - in this case I tried "C dorian b2." The key of C is important because it allows the model to simulate open strings for the cello. It doesn't appear as if the model used the phrygian flat second often in this piece, but it does seem as if it interpreted the keyword to use more minor chords to make the song sound more melancholic.
Lyrics
I watered the plastic orchid
By the window ledge
It’s been drinking from the tap
For a week
The weatherman says
It’s raining in the hallway
But the carpet is dry,
And the floorboards don't squeak
I put a TV dinner
In the microwave slot
Set the timer
For a year and a half
You’re sitting in the armchair,
Or maybe you’re not
I heard a cough,
Or was it a laugh?
The thermostat is lying
About the heat
The gravity feels heavy
In the street
Oh, we’re spinning
In the Sunday Centrifuge
Everything is heavy
But the mood
I’m perfectly happy
With the view
Of the brick wall
Painted pleasant blue
It’s a wonderful life,
If you don't look down
We’re the only two people
In this model town
(Stay inside,
The air is wrong)
Found a receipt
For a watch I never bought
Time works different
When the clocks are all drawn
With a crayon on the wall,
Twelve, six, and nine
I’m waiting for a sunset
That looks like a dawn
The neighbors are quiet,
They pack up and go
To a job
That doesn't have a name
I wave from the porch,
Putting on a good show
But nobody ever
Waves back the same
Oh, we’re spinning
In the Sunday Centrifuge
Everything is heavy
But the mood
I’m perfectly happy
With the view
Of the brick wall
Painted pleasant blue
It’s a wonderful life,
If you don't look down
We’re the only two people
In this model town
I tried to call you
But the operator said
The number was imaginary
She said, "Sir,
You’re holding a banana,
Not a phone."
And I realized
I haven't eaten potassium
In years.
(Sung - Soaring Falsetto)
Is the grocery store
Floating away?
Oh, we’re spinning
In the Sunday Centrifuge
Everything is heavy
But the mood
I’m perfectly happy
With the view
Of the brick wall
Painted pleasant blue
It’s a wonderful life,
If you don't look down
We’re the only two people
In this model town
The orchid looks thirsty.
I should water it again.