Sandhouse use a powerful mix of shoegaze and psychedelia on “Circus”

I hate being perceived. Instagram gives me anxiety. And every day, my phone feels like a black hole. This isn’t a new concept, but I’ve yet to hear a song speak to those emotions without it being in a Dealing With Fame way. That is until Sandhouse.

The duo’s latest single, “Circus,” centres around the unsettling feeling of constantly having eyes on you, if only digitally. Influenced by ‘60s psych and ‘90s grunge, Anna and Caspar create an expansive, atmospheric ode to how it feels to be chronically online.

Together as Sandhouse, they layer different elements on “Circus,” building and releasing tension for the song’s entirety. In the verses, Anna’s gentle head voice is supported by Portishead-esque trip-hop drum patterns and a low, humming bass. The slightest bit of feedback ebbs and flows in the background, hinting at an impending explosion. The guitar kicks in at the chorus, enveloping itself in its own reverb.

By its conclusion, the track has become a full-body experience that speaks to the overwhelm and anxiety of dealing with the eyes of others. The vocals are casually delivered, but with an inherent eeriness that tugs at something deep inside, even if subconsciously. They give me the same mix of anxiety and allure that I get from Beach House’s Victoria Legrand as Anna effortlessly sweeps over the gritty instrumentation.

While the word “circus” does not appear in the song, as a title alone it evokes imagery of animals in unnatural habitats, being forced to do tricks for onlookers. Sandhouse describes feeling like “A walking for sale sign,” dealing with Peeping Toms who become increasingly difficult to stand up to. There’s a turning point in the second verse where it feels like the pair submit to the observers with the suggestive “Now my plastic heart can’t fight / Peeping Tom seems nice / Baby name the price.” At a certain point, it’s easier to play the game than fight against it.

The pair explain ~Circus" is about “inhabiting a constant state of watching and being watched, and the twisted effect this has on the ego and view of others.” While we hate feeling like we’re personally being watched, we often love watching others. Hook “Know that you’re creepy like me” emphasizes the inherent narcissism that permeates the act of doom scrolling. We know we shouldn’t do it, but sometimes we just can’t stop. And before we know it, the black hole has carried us away.