B-Side Guys

Samuel Campoli’s “One Eye” is a hazy, lo-fi exploration of inner landscapes and outer journeys, blending psychedelic rock sensibilities with dream pop’s ethereal textures. This track meanders through a sonic fog, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its deliberately obscured narrative.

The song’s instrumentation feels like it’s been filtered through layers of gauze, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly complements the stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Campoli’s guitar work is reminiscent of Chris Cohen’s intricate yet understated style, with meandering melodies that seem to chase their own tails.

Campoli’s vocals float atop this musical mist, his delivery recalling the gentle murmur of Loving’s Jesse Henderson. The repetition of phrases like “One eye, on the westbound highway” and “Fear and doubt” creates a hypnotic effect, pulling the listener deeper into the song’s trance-like state.

The lyrics paint a picture of a solitary journey, both physical and psychological. The “westbound highway” serves as a metaphor for escape, while the omnipresent “fear and doubt” represent the internal obstacles that follow even as one tries to flee. The image of “Smoke signs filling up my mind” further blurs the line between external reality and internal perception.

Structurally, “One Eye” defies conventional song formats. It ebbs and flows organically, mirroring the unpredictable nature of thoughts during a long, solitary drive. This experimental approach to composition aligns Campoli with artists like The Books, who similarly prioritize mood and texture over traditional pop structures.

The production on “One Eye” is a crucial element of its charm. The lo-fi quality adds a layer of intimacy, as if we’re listening to a half-remembered dream or a fuzzy recollection of a late-night drive. This aesthetic choice enhances the song’s themes of uncertainty and introspection.

As the track progresses, the repetition of “Fear and doubt” becomes almost mantra-like, suggesting a confrontation with these emotions rather than an escape from them. It’s as if the journey westward is not just a physical departure, but an internal reckoning.

“One Eye” stands as a testament to Campoli’s ability to create immersive sonic experiences. By blending psychedelic rock’s mind-expanding ethos with dream pop’s gauzy textures and lo-fi rock’s raw intimacy, he’s crafted a track that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. It’s a song that doesn’t just invite listening, but encourages a full surrender to its hypnotic allure.