The Fifth State of Consciousness cover

The Fifth State of Consciousness

Peaking Lights · 2017

78 min · 12 tracks · psychedelic pop

A mesmerizing blend of hazy melodies and hypnotic rhythms, evoking a sense of transcendent exploration.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Dreaming Outside — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its ethereal soundscapes and layered vocals, encapsulating the dreamlike quality characteristic of Peaking Lights’ music.
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    Coyote Ghost Melodies — With its infectious rhythm and captivating melody, this track exemplifies the duo's ability to blend pop sensibilities with experimental sound design.
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    Love Can Move Mountains — This song stands out for its uplifting lyrics and rich instrumentation, highlighting Peaking Lights' knack for creating anthemic moments within their atmospheric compositions.
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    Put Down Your Guns — The track combines poignant themes with a compelling groove, showcasing the duo's skill in marrying social commentary with engaging melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends hazy melodies with rhythmic exploration, showcasing distinct songwriting and production choices.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a dreamlike atmosphere, while the fourth track introduces a more pronounced rhythm.
  • Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing for gradual build-ups and explorations of sound.
  • The album's final track features a significant drop in tempo and instrumentation, creating a meditative conclusion.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • mesmerizing soundscapes for introspection
  • long, immersive listening journeys
  • hypnotic rhythms for deep focus
  • transcendent exploration of consciousness

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer fast-paced experiences
  • want immediate catchy hooks

Where this album fits

Career context
The Fifth State of Consciousness is Peaking Lights' fifth studio album, released during a period of artistic evolution following their previous work, 2014's Cosmic Logic. This release showcases their continued experimentation with psychedelic pop and electronic influences, solidifying their unique sound in the genre.
Stylistic neighbors
Tame Impala· MGMT· Animal Collective

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Eclipse of the Heart

    Imagery shifts from light to dark as it explores contrasts between love and loss.

    This lyrical turn deepens the emotional complexity of the song, illustrating how light and shadow coexist in personal relationships.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Dreaming Outside 6:51
  • 2 Coyote Ghost Melodies 7:17
  • 3 Everytime I See the Light 6:12
  • 4 I’ll Be in the Sky 4:08
  • 5 Love Can Move Mountains 5:33
  • 6 Sweetness Isn’t Far Away 10:25

Disc 2

  • 1 Que du bon 5:42
  • 2 A Phoenix and a Fish 6:24
  • 3 Eclipse of the Heart 6:55
  • 4 In My Disguise 5:04
  • 5 Put Down Your Guns 7:32
  • 6 Wild Paradise 6:56

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata