Do things unsaid keep you up at night? This question is at the core of artist Babe Lewis’ latest single “Unsaid”, the latest release from the solo recording project of Virginia-based songwriter Joseph Harder. Dancing between riotous distorted guitars and softer breakdown sections, this song’s thoughtful lyricism will resonate with fans of shoegaze, psych rock, and daydreamers of all stripes.
Described as “an ode to listlessness, to hunger, to curiosity”, this track comes out swinging right off the bat before quieting down as the vocals come in. Lyrically, I love how this song describes the internal wanderlust of rumination. Joseph croons, “I never can sit still, no matter how I focus / listless and wistful to a fault” as soft, arpeggiated guitars resonate in the background throughout the first verse. As we approach the chorus, the drums and guitars come blaring back in, and there is a sense of renewed purpose and intention; a full-circle moment of clarity arising out of the contemplation.
While I felt like the two musical styles presented in the song do sometimes clash, there is an earnestness to the raw emotion in this track that I really liked. The track effectively blends some of the more ethereal aspects of dream pop and psych rock with some of the in-your-face aspects of shoegaze and punk. For fans of these genres as well as contemplative songwriting, give “Unsaid” a listen and keep an eye out for Babe Lewis’ music both online and locally in the Harrisonburg, Virginia scene.
Written by Cassie Toby
