[The xx photo provided by contributor]
“Islands” by The xx
When I listen to this song, I get lost in the music and don’t really think about the words. I can only remember a few phrases. I’m afraid to say I’m not sure what it’s about. It just feels deep and soothing. My mind sort of blanks out and wanders. It’s great to listen to after a hard day at work. It got me through some tough stretches. I can just sit with my eyes closed and breathe. Don’t get me wrong, you can totally emo-out to this song in the dark, but I prefer my emo sessions to have a bit more ache. Islands does have a touch of somber, but I think it has more of a hopeful feel. I saw The xx at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco in April 2017. I was about three or four rows from the front of a sold out show of a few thousand people at least, but I never really felt squeezed, there was mellow energy about the crowd. Fitting for The xx and their fans. I had no trouble feeling alone among all those people. And I’m sure they didn’t either.
5songpjct: It seems like emo is a theme in these posts. What do you like about Emo music?
Lawrence: I’m using emo in a broad sense, being more in touch with ones feelings, being emotional. I don’t listen to emo bands like My Chemical Romance. I mean sit alone in the dark and embrace feelings music. To quote Doctor Who “Sad is happy for deep people.” Just allow yourself to be sad. In a lot of breakups people want to be distracted and they don’t want to feel the hurt, to let that pain wash over them. Not me, I dive in headfirst and allow myself to be miserable.
5songpjct: But sometimes you have to feel bad first before you can feel better.
Lawrence: Yeah, being sad is part of the process, let it happen and then you can move on.
OUR LAST song with Lawrence tomorrow