Radiant Music

This song of the week comes from Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s (UMO) fifth album, V, a chill dramatic musical experience located on beaches of darkness and reality. Nadja, track 11 of 14, has a sad soaring melody that makes you feel warm like sitting next to a melancholy campfire. With nothing to eat but stale smores ingredients. The crisp drums, the melodic bass, and the crashing waves of a guitar keep the song going at a steady blue beat. The opening lyrics “Forget about it. Ever get outta here, I doubt it,” evokes a defeated feeling of being stuck in one place for too long. The chorus comes in feeling nostalgic and longing. Hoping for a better future.

The lyrics actually paint the picture of a girl that is stuck in love and bad decisions. An obsessive lover of hers sorrowfully sings about brighter futures and eating a strand of her hair. “Couldn’t throw away this thing you left behind.” It seems Nadja dreams of different lands and happier days yet is bogged down. “Paranoia. Maybe it’s just the powder up your nose. Givin’ up, it’s just a door that’s never shut.” She wants to escape from her life yet keeps being held back by poor decisions, a lover, and bad luck. She wants to give up but tries to remember the dreams she dreamt for herself.

The song carries over to the next track on the album, Keaukaha, an instrumental fade out that makes you meditate and appreciate the moment. The song is too short yet stretches for an eternity. Makes for a nice outro to Nadja.