Look at the Sky explained

Look at the Sky
Cover:Look at the Sky artwork.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Porter Robinson
Album:Nurture
Recorded:March 31, 2016–February 11, 2020
Genre:Synthpop[1]
Length:5:10
Label:Mom+Pop
Producer:Porter Robinson
Prev Title:Mirror
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Musician
Next Year:2021

"Look at the Sky" is a song by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson. It was released on January 27, 2021, as the fourth single from his second studio album Nurture.[2] The song is featured in the soundtrack of the video game Forza Horizon 5, on the Horizon Pulse radio station. It is also featured as a playable song in the arcade game Dance Dance Revolution A3, as well as the online Battle Royale video game Fortnite as a lobby music track in collaboration with Coachella 2023.

Background and composition

In 2017, after having not left his studio for some time, Robinson left for Japan with his girlfriend. There, he "started forcing [himself] to do new things and forcing [himself] to spend time not working" and wrote the chorus of "Look at the Sky" there.[3] Later that year, he tweeted "I can make something good."[4] This turned out to be a line from the then-unreleased song.

After the release of the singles "Get Your Wish" and "Something Comforting" in early 2020, the rollout of Nurture was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Robinson's "Second Sky" music festival was cancelled and replaced with a virtual festival named "Secret Sky," which took place on May 9, 2020.[5] Robinson closed his Secret Sky performance with a teaser of "Look at the Sky." The single's official release was announced by Robinson on January 13, 2021.[6]

The song is in the key of F-sharp major, with a BPM of 115.[7]

Music video

A music video was released on February 10, 2021, and was directed by Chris Muir and choreographed by Matty Peacock.[8] Robinson has stated that the music video is about how his work could not be where it is now if not for the contributions of those before him.[9] In the music video, Robinson performs alongside ghosts that stay by his side, before turning into one himself by the end.[8] [9]

Critical reception

In a review of the song for The Harvard Crimson, Arik Katz wrote that "Robinson’s refusal to shy away from writing about his experiences with depression and self-doubt lends power to his gorgeous lyricism," but also remarked that "'Look at the Sky' is not without flaws. The instrumental hook feels cliché in its sugary expression of positivity."[4] In an 8/10 review of Nurture for Clash,Josh Crowe described the song as "the standout cut from the album."[10] Ben Devlin, in a 4 out of 5 star review of Nurture for musicOMH, wrote that "The melodies are effortless ear-candy, while the vocals exude a stoic optimism."[11] Also in a 4 star review, Ben Jolley, writing for NME, described "Look at the Sky" and "Something Comforting" as "two of the most uplifting yet tear-jerking songs you're likely to hear this year."[12]

Year-end lists

"Look at the Sky" was ranked at seventy-second place on Billboards list of the best 2021 songs,[13] seventeenth on The Faders list,[14] and fifth on Our Culture Mags list.[15]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[17] 70

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Let Porter Robinson 'Nurture' You. Moen. Matt. Paper. August 24, 2021. August 29, 2021. November 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211123121142/https://www.papermag.com/porter-robinson-nurture-2654777014.html. live.
  2. Web site: Porter Robinson – "Look At The Sky" . Deville . Chris . . January 27, 2021 . April 26, 2021 . January 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127195537/https://www.stereogum.com/2114291/porter-robinson-look-at-the-sky/music/ . live .
  3. Web site: Porter Robinson Finds Peace With Passionate New Album, 'Nurture'. Venzin. Megan. The Recording Academy. June 7, 2021. July 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607194816/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/porter-robinson-interview-passionate-new-album-nurture. June 7, 2021.
  4. Web site: 'Look at the Sky' Review: Porter Robinson Finds Strength in the Future. February 9, 2021. April 26, 2021. Katz. Arik. The Harvard Crimson. April 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411212517/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/2/9/look-at-the-sky-review/. live.
  5. Web site: Bein. Katie. How Porter Robinson Found 'The Confidence I Used To Have' To Finish His Long-Awaited Second Album. April 21, 2021. August 5, 2021. Billboard. April 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210422085940/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/9559846/porter-robinson-new-album-nurture-interview. live.
  6. Web site: Porter Robinson Shares Preview, Announces Release Date of "Look at the Sky". April 26, 2021. January 13, 2021. Heffler. Jason. EDM.com. January 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113212610/https://edm.com/news/porter-robinson-look-at-the-sky-nurture-release-date. live.
  7. Web site: Look at the Sky (Original Mix) by Porter Robinson. April 26, 2021. April 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210425231212/https://www.beatport.com/track/look-at-the-sky/14846719. live.
  8. Web site: Porter Robinson and his ghost band share the "Look At The Sky" video. Darville. Jordan. February 10, 2021. April 26, 2021. The FADER. April 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210425232649/https://www.thefader.com/2021/02/10/porter-robinson-look-at-the-sky-video. live.
  9. Web site: Porter Robinson shares self-reflective message with new 'Look at the Sky' visual. Goldenberg. Ross. Dancing Astronaut. February 10, 2021. April 26, 2021. April 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210426024437/https://dancingastronaut.com/2021/02/porter-robinson-shares-self-reflective-message-with-new-look-at-the-sky-visual/. live.
  10. Web site: Porter Robinson – Nurture. Crowe. Josh. May 23, 2021. Clash. en. April 19, 2021. April 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210420011542/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/porter-robinson-nurture. live.
  11. Web site: Devlin. Ben. Porter Robinson – Nurture. May 23, 2021. musicOMH. April 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210422094842/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/porter-robinson-nurture. live.
  12. Web site: Jolley. Ben. Porter Robinson – 'Nurture' review: dance don trades bombast for blissed-out beats. May 23, 2021. NME. April 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210420115825/https://www.nme.com/reviews/porter-robinson-nurture-review-2924175. live.
  13. Web site: The 100 Best Songs of 2021: Staff List. December 7, 2021. December 11, 2021. Billboard. November 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221121041333/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2021/porter-robinson-look-at-the-sky. live.
  14. Web site: The 100 best songs of 2021. December 18, 2021. The Fader. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809183249/https://www.thefader.com/2021/12/16/the-100-best-songs-of-2021. live.
  15. Web site: The 25 Best Songs of 2021. December 22, 2021. January 15, 2022. Our Culture Mag. August 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220811180310/https://ourculturemag.com/2021/12/22/the-25-best-songs-of-2021/. live.
  16. Robinson. Porter. the guitar in this part is played by one of my musical heroes yvette young !! @youyve #nurture. 1385655844096909318. porterrobinson.
  17. Web site: Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021. December 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211202180657/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/hot-dance-electronic-songs/. live.

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