Staring Contest

from Absence Speaks by Downgrade

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$1 USD or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

i arrived on time
while the other guests were still at home
i made memories, then forgot them all
thinking, thinking

that maybe too much of my life was imagined
but then the thinking stopped as you walked by
yes then the thinking stopped as the crowd stared on
it’s all in your head, it’s all in your head

break! say something
break! say something

i saw the world in full
each face an echo of another
my mouth moved like television static
speaking, speaking

about how appearances are like shattered glass
but then the speaking stopped as the sun forgot to rise
but then the speaking stopped as we locked eyes
it’s all in your head…

break! say something
break! say something

i promise I’m having fun
i’m talking fast is that ok
i see rot on the floor
i forgot what I was saying again

scream in the privacy of your closed doors
your breath’s gone stale why don’t you take a mint
show em’ your smile, you know you know
flash em’ your teeth, you know you know

its frightening how happy you are
i’m scared by the way you smile
watching you watching me
like two dogs with yellow teeth

scream in the privacy of your closed doors
your breath’s gone stale why don’t you take a mint
show em’ your smile, you know you know
flash em’ your teeth, you know you know

i sense there’s something wrong
as we stand here together forever
watching you, watching me
like two dogs with yellow teeth

scream in the privacy of your closed doors
your breath’s gone stale why don’t you take a mint
show em’ your smile, you know you know
flash em’ your teeth, you know you know

credits

from Absence Speaks, released July 21, 2023

license

about

Downgrade Atlanta, Georgia

Recommendations

contact / help

Contact Downgrade

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

Downgrade recommends:

Weelaunee Kaleidoscope (Benefit for ATL Solidarity)
by Various Artists

benefit compilation for atl solidarity fund Downgrade
go to album

If you like Downgrade, you may also like:

Verity Den
by Verity Den

Magnificent, shoegazey dream pop from this North Carolina group that flickers and glows like a mirage. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 4, 2024
go to album
Valosaasteen sekaan
by Musta Huone

This terrific Finnish group offers churning post-punk draped in shadow with occasional dips into shoegaze and drone. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 25, 2023
go to album
Pensées Noires
by Tout Debord

Slashing, ice-cold, irresistible goth from Paris—your perfect haunted house soundtrack. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 30, 2023
go to album
Somewhere Down Below
by Gaadge

On their third LP, Gaadge (from Pittsburgh) make a big racket with hooky, messy guitar rock sweetened with loads of noisy pop moments. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 13, 2023
go to album
Self Titled
by Halloween

As the name implies, there’s something wonderfully spooky about this Philly band—shoegaze with a haunting undercurrent. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 27, 2023
go to album