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Photo Courtesy of Nautical Operator’s Instagram

“Snow” is an old track, but I still can’t get enough of it. If the end of the universe was approaching and humanity had to choose one track to describe the feeling of falling into nothingness, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one made the cut.

An undercurrent of bleakness runs through the track, but the song’s soft guitar work surrounds you with warmth, soothing you into accepting your mistakes.

The idea of losing your way might be sad, but for those who’ve become entirely unconcerned about their failures it makes more sense to just let go.

“Snow” is just the right mixture of enchantment and melancholy to lull humanity into the void. While we continue to exist, however, there’s nothing wrong with letting the track sing you into a sense of peace.

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Carl Sagan

Photo Courtesy of Bonfire Lakes’ Facebook

Bonfire Lakes sounds familiar with sorrowful tunes, and that experience shines through their single “Two Sisters”. I’ll admit, listening to the song was a bit hard for me. Death is a part of life that no one can escape, but as sentimental beings we hope that our loved ones will never meet that fate, and if they do, hopefully not in our lifetimes. However, with lyrics such as “you left unannounced just like your sister” and “she went out in the cold and into the darkness” it’s easy to understand that the singer has lived through the death of someone special.

Although this aspect is melancholy enough to cement the single as one of Bonfire Lakes greatest laments, the song takes true emotional flight when it delves into the artist’s second loss. The two sisters, you see, both leave. One in death, and the other in terms of distance. It’s apparent that the artist feels loss for both siblings, even if one is still alive. Can you say that the death of intimacy is as poignant as true, physical death? I’m not sure. However, Bonfire Lakes will bring you to your knees with that question as the gentle lyrics “Two Sisters” spins a sad tale of complex losses.

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Carl Sagan

Photo Courtesy of Wholewheat’s Facebook

Wholewheat’s album Songs From My Parent’s Basement is a masterful work of emotion and authenticity. The album possesses an abundance of raw emotion, which causes the collection to play like the inner-monologue of a broken man. Truth and sincerity drips from every verse as tales of loss and insecurity are sung. Cheery melodies compliment sorrowful lyrics well, and despite the upbeat nature of some of the tracks the dark feelings behind the words are evident.

When listening to this album you’ll find yourself swaying along to thoughts of suicide and rejection, something that might leave you feeling a little messed up inside. Listeners who identify heavily with the album might feel odd knowing that they, too, feel twisted, but instead of turning to isolation may those listeners take comfort in knowing that someone else out there feels the similar during times of turmoil; lost, confused and even a bit manic.

This album rocked me to my core.

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Carl Sagan

Photo Courtesy of Dear Life’s Facebook

Sadness is a melody, and Dear Life, plays it well. 

“Fear is a Dirty Aphrodisiac” is one of their newer, ambient-heavy tracks. The song, which greets your ears with atmospheric tones set by the lovely voice of Bishi Kaneta, is a dark journey for those searching for human connection.

The use of keyboard sets the undertone of the track while singular guitar riffs move the narrative forward. Introspective lyrics beg for emotional contact, peace from the past and just a “little kindness.” All these elements combine to create a solid track that’ll leave you searching for more in all your relationships. 

At the end of the day, Dear Life, reminds us that “truth is a kind of danger”, a revelation that might leave you feeling pretty damn low.

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Carl Sagan

Photo Courtesy of Fifty Year Storm’s Facebook

Fifty Year Storm are masters of rock. Their music is often raw with emotion, and “Rain on Fire” is no exception. The tune starts off as a dark and twisted love song about a romance that doesn’t feel quite right. Through the course of the track Fifty Year Storm combines multiple musical elements that include soft plucks of a guitar and the use of a violin to convey their message: confront your demons before falling in love. The song takes the realization that a person you love is incapable of being saved and uses it as motivation to end a toxic relationship. However, just when you think that the song can be classified as a breakup ballad the lyrics take you for one more emotional ride. 

Despite the song conveying a sense of liberation from a harmful romance, the last few lyrics give way to truth. “I don’t want you to stay away,” the song sings, almost begrudgingly. That one shocking admission changes the entire tone of the track. It implies that there’s more than just indignation in this broken relationship, and that despite the anger the singer feels the pain of losing someone close to them. “There’s no one else like me for you”, the lyrics sing. “And there’s no one else like me too.”

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Carl Sagan