Style: Electro Pop
Primary Emotions/Themes: Solitude, hopelessness, crying out for help, drowning in ones own sorrow, relationships lost
Thoughts: Having conflicting messages and themes in music is nothing new. Many artists will project a particular message or set of emotions through the music, only to have the lyrics be in stark contrast. The Postal Service's debut album is a fine example of these conflicting forces within their music.
The music on Give Up is among some of the happiest and peppiest I have in my archives. The synths are bright and sparkly, often reminding me of chip tunes or other similarly nostalgic electronics. The beats match the music with their animated percussion. The music - taken by itself - points to a wonderful sunny day in the middle of summer, or a blissful walk down a country road with a loved one.
The lyrics tell an entirely different story though. They tell tales about loss, failed relationships, the end of all life, and longing for things that can no longer be. The difference between the two is akin to night and day, fire and water. They simply do not belong together, yet that is exactly what Give Up is.
The one exception to this is the heart wrenching song, This Place Is a Prison. The music is slow, contemplative, and reflective. A downtrodden melody plays as Benjamin sings about how no one is your friend and how life is a prison - the only escape being alcohol. What does it take, to get a drink in this place? How long must I wait? He asks the faceless listener, no one knows the answer.
Considering how soul-crushing the lyrics are, it's quite curious to me that this album is certified platinum in the US and has sold well all over the globe. Regardless, I am thrilled that it got reissued and I finally have a copy of this paradox in my collection.
Written September 2nd 2023
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