Oslo by De Joie De Joie really captures the joy of thriving where you belong. Listening to this song put a smile on my face and I hope it will do the same for you. written by Dallas Fluegel
2.
Disclosure by The Silent Critics When I first heard The Silent Critics I was hooked. The music and lyrics were interesting, but the vocals were breathtaking.
written by Dallas Fluegel
3.
If Only You Knew by An Atlas To Follow An Atlas To Follow is a magical song that you will not regret listening to. Get yourself into your best music environment and enjoy the music. written by Dallas Fluegel
4.
Alaye by JKS Sundar, JKA Shalini Our only foreign language song (so far) is made for U.S. radio. If you like the current EDM trend you’re going to want to hear this. written by Dallas Fluegel
5.
You Are Mighty by Melonie Caudle This song truly captures how amazing and mighty God is. His unfailing love are things that we all need to be reminded of on a daily basis. I hope you get as much from this song as I do. written by Shaina Hawkins
You can go directly to our Top 5 playlist on Spotify or YouTube.
All Because of You (feat. Graham Colton & Lindsey Ray) by Sooner The Sunset
Sonner The Sunset is Graham Colton & Linsey Ray of Oklahoma. They released their one and only album in 2012 titled Sonner The Sunset featuring a pop-folk set of songs that are catchy and fun. Currently, Sooner The Sunset have 65 Monthly Listeners on Spotify making them a perfect candidate for our Artist Spotlight.
Sooner The Sunset excelled at love songs. I enjoyed the electric-pop feel of Love is Landing, and I just adore the humming involved with Helium Heart; However, I wanted to introduce you to my favorite song of theirs, All Because of You. A sweet song that I like to pretend they made for each other, but who knows. Enjoy.
Left the door wide open Didn’t have a clue Thought that I had locked it The lock was broken too In you came like summer rain Filling up my heart and yours too
I got all these symptoms I can’t describe Tell me is there something that can be prescribed All these nights of losing sleep Left me in this state my heart goes
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, can hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something, love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
Do do do do do do (x3) All because of you
I’ve been dead I can’t kick No matter how hard I try My knees are getting weaker and I can’t deny Falling faster Falling deep Felt it from the start My heart goes
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, cad hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
I’m in love It’s all because of you (I can’t keep from falling) x8
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, can hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, can hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
Do do do do do do (x3) All because of you
Commentary
What is there to say? This is just a lovely song. I really love the idea of blaming the other person for your feelings. Normally, I would considerate that irresponsible, but here it is sweet. It’s kind of funny how the same concept can be both horrible and wonderful.
If you listen with really good headphones during the ‘I’m in love, it’s all because of you” bridge you can hear a sort of conversation going on in the background. This is an interesting concept to me. I do not understand it, but it definitely gives the song an extra bit of warmth. It is so soft I can’t make out any of what is being said, but i’m sure it is lovely.
If you like this song you might want to check out our article on The Soorleys.
Support Us
If you like the work we do and would like to support us consider buy a an Unheard Shirt from my Etsy store RatherShopElseWhere or purchasing some baked goods from Shaina’s Bakery.
Jak Sundar is a producer from Chennai, India. He is a huge fan of Machael Jackson’s music and it is with this inspiration that Jak has set out to make pop music. In his song, Alaye, Jak enlisted the help of singer JKA Shalini. Shalini is also from Chennai, India where she lives with her husband and kids. Jak Sundar has 1 monthly Spotify listener, and JKA Shalini has 608 monthly Spotify listeners making them a perfect duo for this week’s artists spotlight
Alaye is a song that has popular electronic music themes infused throughout the track like Shalini’s haunting voice, synthesizers galore, and an epic beat. It’s a song that belongs on the radio, and I hope it will take off in the United States soon. Since I am only a (sub-par) master of one language I reached out to JKA Shalini and she was kind enough to give me the lyrics of the song, which were then translated by a wonderful user of Reddit. But first, enjoy Alaye by Jak Sundar & JKA Shalini. Lyrics and Analysis below.
Alaye alaye alaye alaye Alaye alaye un aatralai tharava Nilave nilave nilave nilave Nilave nilave un olithanai thara vaa
Alaye un aatral tharayo Adiyen ivan nadai poda Nilave un olithanai tharayo Nilathil ivan karaigal than sera….
Alaye alaye alaye alaye Alaye alaye un aatralai tharava Nilave nilave nilave nilave Nilave nilave un olithanai thara vaa
Welcome the rain that comes down from the sky Let the road get wet for you to go Welcome the sea fish that swims far You go without slowing down
Among a thousand searches find your place Sing a song and tell your story
Go forward without stopping Push the opponents behind you Say that you will get up even if you fall Go as far as you can touch the skyline
Let the waves give the energy For him to walk Let the moon give the light For him to reach the shore
Go forward without stopping Push the opponents behind you Say that you will get up even if you fall Go as far as you can touch the skyline
Oh wave after wave after wave after wave Come wave after wave to give the energy Oh moon oh moon oh moon oh moon Oh moon oh moon come to give the light
Let the waves give the energy For him to walk Let the moon give the light For him to reach the shore
Wave after wave after wave after wave Come wave after wave to give the energy Oh moon oh moon oh moon oh moon Oh moon oh moon come to give the light
Meaning (from the Artist)
“This song portrays the struggles of a young boy who is bullied and harmed by people around him, which in turns makes the boy stronger and equips himself to face his struggles with the help of his affectionate brother… This song is dedicated to all the young children to grow up in life stronger and face all the hurdles in life.” ~ From the Youtube Description
Commentary
This song stands as a positive force in a time great darkness across the world. The human race is being bullied by its own members and the forces of nature. This song can serve as motivation that despite being knocked down we can always get up, learn from our mistakes, and face the issues at hand.
Let us therefore face the day with new strength. May you bring courage into your heart. May you fight for justice. May you be a force of peace in your home, neighborhood, and city. And finally, may you end this day knowing the world is at least a tiny bit better because of your actions.
If you’re interested in more music by JKA Shalini you can follow her on Facebook, Spotify, Instagram, or Youtube. JKA Shalini, herself, requests you take a listen to one of her newest songs, Alaathi.
In 2012 An Atlas To Follow released Golden Sun, a six track EP, and toured through 2014. Since then their website has become entirely Chinese and they haven’t posted on Facebook one time. This Knoxville, Tennessee modern indie folk band consisted of Thomas Smith (lead singer), Zac Smith, Amanda Kinney, & Josh Jones. Currently An Atlas To Follow has 6,053 monthly Spotify listeners making them an excellent candidate for our Artist Spotlight.
An Atlas To follow slowly formed into a four piece band over the years of 2009 and 2010. Thomas and Amanda met and discovered each other in a study abroad program in 2009 and started singing together shortly thereafter. Golden Sun was An Atlas To Follow’s only album, although they did release an album under another name in 2010, Suite C.
The first track on the Golden Sun album to catch my ear was Be Kind To Boston. I loved the harmonies and how the song builds up. However, after I dived into the album a new favorite quickly emerged. Enjoy the second track from the Golden Sun album If Only You Knew by An Atlas to Follow. Find lyrics and the meaning below.
Let me tell you dear, I know I said it’s just a story But the truth is I write words to form a crutch to help me get by It wasn’t my intention to leave you out in the cold I wrote this all down and I put it in a song Cause I found that my words fail me When I need them most I’ve got a way with words But I’m not sure it’s the good kind Cause I let them get away from me And I just hope that you’ll find That your name is hidden somewhere Deep between most of them
Bah-di-dah-dah…..
I once had a mind to let this run its course But the wind and the rain had their way with us Cause something deep inside me said I had to learn the hard way I’m scared of being alone, but I’m scared to look you in the eyes And ask you if you’d like to dance with me Because I’ll make a fool of myself These words are nothing more than pebbles thrown In desperation at your window pane Just hoping that the rhythmic sound will help you sleep tonight
If only you knew If only you knew If only you knew If only you knew If only you knew If only you knew
Bah-di-dah-dah…..
If only you knew If only you knew And if only you knew If only you knew
Bah-di-dah-dah…..
Meaning
I really really like this song. There’s something magical in the bah-di-dahs. It feels like its taking me somewhere. It makes me close my eyes and smile.
I really like to dive into the meaning of a song’s lyrics, but I love it when it artists tells us (most of the time) what the song is actually about. In an interview, An Atlas To Follow expanded on the meaning of the album and what each song meant to the writer.
“Golden Sun” has a lot to do with unrequited love, or rather, unrequited feelings, with the two bright spots on the EP being Call this Home and the title track. Louisiana was born from the frustration of still carrying around the weight of regrets and remorse from a failed relationship. Really it wasn’t a relationship at all; I was just very emotionally involved. The song does it’s best to say without saying that I was tired. Tired of having her in the back of my head every other day. Tired of not being able to move forward due to the delusional hope that something where I was might change for the better. Be Kind to Boston, If Only You Knew and Too Late to Say I Love You all come from the same situation where I had some very strong feelings toward a certain someone but knew that they weren’t shared. If you listen to them in the order listed earlier you can see the thematic arc of the “situation”: from hope to desire to desperation to loss. It all worked out in the end though, she changed her mind… and that album is in the works.”
I love happy endings! I hope y’all did too.
You can find An Atlas To Follow on Facebook, Spotify, or Youtube. You can purchase their album on iTunes or through Amazon. A large portion of this post was taken from an Interview found on sonicbids.com.
Kyshona (KUH-shauna) Armstrong creates empowering music from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee. On February 28th, she released her newest album, Listen. It blends rock, blues, and R&B with uplifting lyrics. Kyshona Armstrong currently sits at 3,549 monthly listeners on Spotify making her a perfect candidate for our Artist Spotlight.
Kyshona’s mission it to heal people. She started her career as a music therapist. She and her clients would write songs together. She even worked with inmates. Eventually she felt the need to branch out and create her own music, but she never forgot her roots. Her songs are filled with empowering, uplifting lyrics to encourage the forgotten and marginalized.
I reached out to Kyshona Armstrong to find out where the song Marching On came from and what it means to her, and she was awesome enough to respond. But first, enjoy Marching On, the 9th song on Kyshona Armstrong’s album Listen.
Lyrics
Many the miles that I have traveled So much pain I had to rise above So many dreams have come unraveled Still waiting for my love
I hear a distant Hallelujah singing a change is gonna come
I can still find a song in this old guitar I can still see a light in that dying star I hear that jubilee choir and its singing into the dawn Keep on Marching, child Keep on Marching on The road it may be long, but keep on marching on
Many the men who have fallen by the hand of a mighty few But we can hear their voices calling children we’ve passed the flame on to you
I hear a distant Hallelujah singing We shall not be moved
I can still find a song in this old guitar I can still see a light in that dying star I hear that jubilee choir and its singing into the dawn Keep on Marching, child Keep on Marching on The road it may be long, but keep on marching on
I can still find a song in this old guitar I can still see a light in that dying star I hear that jubilee choir and its singing into the dawn Keep on Marching, child Keep on Marching on The road it may be long, but keep on marching on
I hear a distant Hallelujah singing We shall Overcome
I can still find a song in this old guitar I can still see a light in that dying star I hear that jubilee choir and its singing into the dawn Keep on Marching, child Keep on Marching on The road it may be long, but keep on marching on
Diving Deep
I really dig the electric instruments in this song with the persistent beat. This instrumental combination gives the song a lot of power which is only amplified by Kyshona’s dynamic vocals. Kyshona was kind enough to give me details about how the song was created and how the meaning has changed for her in light of recent events.
“Marching On was written following a conversation with my co-writers, Simon Gugala and Jason White. Simon had the chorus in mind and it got us thinking about all the things that are lost when we chose to only focus on lack.
In the time of protests and pandemic, this song had taken a more pointed meaning that no matter how long the road and difficult the journey, we must continue to march for those that came before us and for those that follow our lead. Shifting our focus from what is wrong with the world, to what we can purposefully do to make it better.”
Yes. We can all look around and see that something is wrong with this world, but let’s not stop there. Surely there is something we can do to purposefully to make it better. What’s the first step?
Listen.
Kyshona Armstrong Performs Marching On live on Lost River Sessions
Little Big League is an Philadelphia rock band consisting of Michelle Zauner (guitar & vocals), Deven Craige (bass), Kevin O’Halloran (guitar), & Ian Dykstra (drums). They released their debut album These Are Good People. in 2013 and Tropical Jinx in 2014. Since then Zauner moved back to Oregon to be with her mother who was diagnosed with cancer and the band has not released an album since. Currently Little Big League sits at 8,255 monthly listeners on Spotify making them a wonderful candidate for our Artist Spotlight.
Little Big League is best described as Rock-N-Roll. They have mesmerizing guitar solos with a wonderful ability to compose a song. Michelles vocals are… unique. Taken by themselves I would consider them adequate, but the band does a good job of mixing them in, using them as an instrument to tie the song together.
Their best song is My Very Own You, a short 2 minute track from their debut Album. I hope you enjoy. Lyrics and commentary below.
Tell me all the parts I conquered first Cause I know your kind, you’re a bad, bad girl
My very own you
Show me every inch they couldn’t reach I will bring and claim bricks to build my place
My very own you
Tell me who Who, who? Tell me who Who?
My very own you
Commentary
I love this song; musically it really resonates with me. It starts with this very interesting guitar riff, hits hard with the vocals and drums, then quickly changes the pace. During the break down Michelle’s ‘who who who’ are great. But my favorite part is the explosion of music at 1:37. Overall, it’s a beautiful 2 minutes.
I struggle with the meaning of this song. I think it could be about how we all fool ourselves in our infatuation with new partners. We fall for our own version of people, rather than who they really are. We make each person into my very own you.
In a similarly naive way we may even see ourselves as our new partner’s white knight – Tell me all the parts I conquered first… Show me every inch they couldn’t reach. I will bring and claim bricks to build my place. This is easy because they are just reciprocating our infatuation. We seem like everything they have been looking for, but really they are just making us into they’re very own us.
I think if everyone asked more questions at the beginning of relationships then maybe there would be less hurt in the world. It would prevent us from being disappointed because our partner didn’t live up to who we thought they were. It reminds me of a quote I once heard in my pre-marriage class, “resentment comes from unmet expectations.”
You can follow Little Big League on Twitter and Facebook and buy their music from iTunes or bandcamp. As always I would really love it if you shared this or another article from The Unheard with your friends. If you really love this song/vocals you can find Michelle’s more recent (lo-fi) music under her new stage name Japanese Breakfast.
The Soorleys’ are a ‘tousled bohemian outfit’ from Australia boasting upbeat folk songs. The band is made of up 4 sisters (Beth, Laura, Shelley, & Millie), 2 of the sisters husbands (Sam & Christopher), & brother (of Christopher) Nick. The Soorley’s are currently sitting at 1,458 monthly listeners on Spotify making them a prime candidate for our Artist Spotlight.
Listening to The Soorleys I found myself really enjoying quite a few of their songs. The first song I heard was their most popular track, Rumble, but whenever I dove into their discography I was especially drawn to Home, Boots, and Destination. I encourage you to listen both EP’s. The have really fun music.
The song Destination by The Soorleys is classic folk pop. It features great harmonies, fun guitar riffs, and a cheery attitude. Lyrics and analysis below.
Lyrics
I travelled out to sea just to find new shores I set out from the start just to find my gold But I’ll find you, I’ll find you
I anchored up my heart and I slowed my words And set a new path took a different turn But I’ll find you, I’ll find you
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
I opened up my hands tried to shield the sun The days are turning over into one But I’ll find you, I’ll find you
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
We won’t fight We won’t fight love (x9)
We won’t fight We won’t fight
We won’t fight love if we stay here We won’t fight love if we stay (x3)
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
I have listened to this song several times, written the lyrics, and then read the lyrics over and over, and I’m still am unsure of its meaning. However, there is a certain magic when you can capture an ambiguous narrative in a poem. It allows for the listener to glean their own meanings from the song.
My Interpretation
The phrase ‘we won’t fight’ is repeated 26 times. It is even yelled at some points. I’m not sure you could say something that many time in a 3 minute song and not it have it be the core message of you music.
In that context, most of the rest of the lyrics make a lot of sense. Traveling out to sea just to find new shores is metaphor for trying to find new ways to communicate. Anchoring your heart, slowing your words, and taking a new course are attempts to assume the best, listen, and seek understanding, respectively. By the way, those three guidelines are an excellent playbook for how to fight with your loved ones. Let’s use them.
I opened up my hands just to shield the sun. The days are turning over into one, but I’ll find you. This means that the conflict is filling up their day, and that the argument is lasting for days. Even so, the writer is determined to make peace; I’ll find you.
What makes the song super sweet is the persistence of the writer to seek unity with their partner. ‘I’ll find you‘ is said with determination 6 times, and ‘my destination is always you‘ reveals that the writer’s desire is for their partner even in the midst of their conflict. I think that’s a beautiful sentiment.
BUT…
I’m just guessing. What’s you guess?
Want More?
These Aussies seem like a fun group to be around. If you would like to hang out with them a little more, virtually of course, you can see their full live set with Audiotree Live below
The reason I know where you’re going is because I can see where your eyes are. Right here. If you’ve made it this far we both know that you’re thinking you have to share this article on Facebook or any other social media site you love because if it wasn’t for this website you would have never discovered The Soorleys. That’s a fair trade, right?
As always. I would love to hear your thoughts or interpretations.
De Joie is singer/songwriter Kaley Rutledge. Her 7,780 monthly Spotify listeners makes her (by far) the most popular artist we have spotlighted so far. In De Joie’s first album she grapples with the idea of home. Kaley lives in Nashville, but she really found a sense home in her travels to Western Europe. These places impacted her so much that when she got back to the States she made an album of four songs, a song for each city she visited.
Oslo is the first song on De Joie’s album August and is my personal favorite. She mixes vox, strings, and synths to give this song a healing presence. In Olso, De Joie really captures the joy of thriving where you belong. Listening to this song put a smile on my face and I hope it will do the same for you. Lyrics and Analysis below.
Can you hear me say “I love you” from across the sea? Can you hear me whisper to you my dreams? Well, the weather is fine here in Oslo We’re about to jump on a plane to the west coast
There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it
I was born to be wild and free Traipsing the coast line of some craggy beach Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company Wild and free
Can you hear me say, “I love you” from theses far way places? All these wide open spaces seem to heal me
There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it
I was born to be wild and free Traipsing the coast line of some craggy beach Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company Wild and free
DIVING DEEP
The concept of home has been something that I have thought a lot about over the last decade. It’s not just a physical space; instead it’s a near mythical land with powers to heal. Home is a place of recovery, our very own ICU that each of retreat to every day. This is an insane concept, but equally peculiar is that each of us rehab at our own unique center. How crazy is that!? Every one of us returns to our own distinct location for the same thing. Healing.
Kaley of De Joie does a fantastic job of exploring the concept of home. In the song Oslo we see two different homes. The first home is filled with the people she loves, but it is lacking. She has left it in search for something – Can you hear me say “I love you” from across the sea? Can you hear me whisper to you my dreams? We’re about to jump on a plane to the west coast. The second home is Oslo, which is also filled with people she loves, AND is a place where she finds healing – Well, the weather is fine here in Oslo. Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company.All these wide open spaces seem to heal me.
I really love how Kaley responds to the healing she receives when she finds home: She realizes she was born to be wild and free. This idea seems counterintuitive to me because before finding this new home Kaley was a wanderer, searching for home.. One could say that she was free to roam and be wild, but she did not feel that way.
However, when Kaley finds home, even though she is now tethered to a place (Oslo), she proclaims herself wild and free. How can we make sense of this?
It’s as if belonging to something or someone brings freedom while total independence produces turmoil. This is a thought worth sitting in, and for that I thank De Joie!
What do you think about home? What does home mean to you?
