Wow. What a song. It reminds me of when I was 23 and I discovered Beirut. The talent is just that real. Realer. I’m older, deeper; I’m a more discerning curator. So, to find something I can just put on repeat, and be lost in while I work or write…. just nothing better.
And while I’ve been a Yung Lean fan since Gatorade days, his art has evolved to a level that’s just wow, to watch. So fucking inspiring.
Basically, there aren’t many Jonathan Leandoers. Or maybe there’s a lot of us, but we’re unknown. WE need more known. To become known.
And the best way to do that, is to feed off of the energy produced by our artistic peers. That’s what’s going to enable us to resonate at that frequency of creative expression.
This isn’t a song, this is a Goddamn Poem:
The story behind the song, according to Genius, is unreal (Are you are my brother Yung Lean?...):
This song is written about when Lean arrived back to his Dad’s house in Sweden after being in a psychiatric unit. The piano is purposefully out of tune to mimic the mental state of Lean at the time.
The last refrain is featuring a Icelandic children’s choir, recorded at the same time as the Stranger short film was recorded.
“Agony” is the most minimalistic song off the Stranger album: Lean is blunt and honest with his experience with psychosis and how this has affected his relationship.
As a bonus, I discovered this great cover by Brooklyn indie band Beach Fossils (Not as poetic as the OG, but it’s soothing AF in a Brian Wilson way) : )
Girlfriend also does something nice to my soul (Starts at 2:28):
And, interestingly, Yung Lean has released some really quality songs under his legal name: Jonatan Leandoer. Love this one, anthem.
p.s. It’s going to be a rich winter. I’m going to be publishing a lot more often, so, consider your inbox forewarned and unfollow if it’s too much.
And, for your pleasure, here are the lyrics to Agony:
I’m chasing witches in the street
I’m the last page in your book
Can’t write a song, only do hooks
Watching horses in the fields
The dragon rests in agony
When I’m afraid I lose my mind
It’s fine, it happens all the time
When I’m afraid I lose my mind
It’s fine, it happens all the time
I adore you, the sound of your skin
Blood, Heaven, I stick to the ground
So many times I realized
What I seek for is right in front of my eyes
I’m alone in a hole in the ground
A theater of dogs is still around
My furniture has come alive
I’m dancing with a candlestick tonight
Flying kites reaping outside my window
Smiles with fright
I adore you, the sound of your skin
Isolation caved in
I adore you, the sound of your skin
Isolation caved in
I adore you, the sound of your skin
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