B-Side Guys

Listening to Keegan Powell’s “In My Cave” feels like stumbling upon a secret diary entry, a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the mind of an artist grappling with the weight of his own emotions. Part of Powell’s compilation album “Alien Radio,” which collects tracks from his musical archive spanning 2016-2019, “In My Cave” is a testament to the Canadian musician’s ability to channel personal struggle into cathartic, emotionally resonant art.

The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of isolation and despair, with Powell repeating the refrain “I’ve been locked in my cave” like a mantra of existential dread. The sense of being trapped, both physically and emotionally, is palpable in every line, with Powell’s voice wavering between resigned weariness and barely-contained anguish. “I got so down today,” he sings, “Then it got away” – a simple yet profound articulation of the way depression can feel like a heavy, inescapable weight, only to suddenly dissipate, leaving one feeling untethered and adrift.

Musically, “In My Cave” is a masterclass in raw, unbridled emotion, with Powell’s guitar work alternating between frenetic, distorted riffs and more subdued, introspective passages. The production is intentionally lo-fi and unpolished, adding to the sense of intimacy and vulnerability that permeates the track. It’s as if we’re hearing the song as it’s being written, a direct transmission from Powell’s psyche to our own.

But what makes “In My Cave” truly remarkable is the way it manages to find glimmers of hope and connection amidst the darkness. In the song’s most striking moment, Powell pleads “Just give me a real sign or give me a break,” his voice cracking with a desperate, almost primal urgency. It’s a moment of raw, unfiltered humanity, a cry for help and understanding that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. And when Powell reveals that the track was written during a particularly difficult period in his own life, it only adds to the song’s emotional weight and impact. “In My Cave” is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, music has the power to make us feel less alone, to offer a glimmer of light in the darkness. It’s a testament to the enduring power of art to heal, to connect, and to remind us of our shared humanity.