At a time when the average hit song barely stretches past the three-minute mark, “Summer’s Gate” by Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends does something brave — it takes its time. At over 12 minutes long, this sprawling, emotional piece defies mainstream expectations and dares to echo the epics of the 1970s. And honestly? It’s a risk that pays off.
If you’re a fan of Pink Floyd, Neil Young, or progressive-era ballads with weight, texture, and lyrical reflection, “Summer’s Gate” might just be one of your favorite discoveries this year — even if it was technically released a few years ago.
“Summer’s Gate” isn’t just a song — it’s a journey. The track unfolds like a sonic landscape: wide open, full of subtle changes, and emotionally layered. It blends folk-rock melodies with slow-burning blues guitar, building atmosphere and tension that pay off in moments of cathartic release. The instrumentation is both intimate and expansive, carefully paced and expertly arranged.
The closing coda — featuring a beautiful guitar solo by Daniel Lagerlöf, formerly of the Swedish band Redmoon — is the song’s soul. It doesn’t rush to the finish line. Instead, it lets the emotion bloom naturally, with every bend of the string and every pause between notes echoing with intent.
What makes “Summer’s Gate” even more impressive is its lyrical weight. Written in 2020 — before the war in Ukraine and the unraveling situation in the Middle East — the song somehow feels like it was penned in direct response to the uncertainty of today. There’s a quiet urgency in the words, a poetic tension between personal reflection and global unease.
This isn’t a protest song or a political one. It’s more philosophical than that. The lyrics are thoughtful, heartfelt, and steeped in the kind of ambiguity that invites interpretation. The kind of writing that lingers — like echoes after a storm.
As the final track of the double album 17 Birds at the Summer’s Gate, “Summer’s Gate” doesn’t just end the record — it defines it. The entire album is rich with nods to ‘60s and ‘70s power pop, folk, and indie rock. But unlike many retro-inspired projects, there’s no nostalgia here for nostalgia’s sake. This is music made with purpose and vision.
The co-production from David Myhr (of The Merrymakers) adds polish without dulling the song’s edges. There’s warmth, rawness, and clarity — a mix that feels human and alive.
“Summer’s Gate” is not for everyone. It’s not background music, and it’s definitely not built for fast consumption. But for those who appreciate long-form songwriting, rich arrangements, and lyrics that say something without shouting, this song is a quiet masterpiece.
In a chaotic world, Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends offer something rare — a place to pause, reflect, and just listen. If you’re willing to take the 12-minute journey, you might find it’s exactly the kind of epic we need right now.
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