Single: Softer – Messed Up


This is a lo-fi, dream pop, shoegaze, indie rock, and emo-adjacent song. It’s partially based on the second to last episode of “Bojack Horseman,” “The View from Halfway Down.” The song is about all of the regrets and guilt one has in life in relation to other people and how, in a space free from time, our minds, and bodies, we can make them right. It’s a yearning for an alternate reality. Another dimension. An afterlife of some sort. Being untethered to our egos — where one can finally get the redemption one seeks.

The lyricist, Belinda, lost her younger sister Kelly to suicide in 2020. She found a way to channel her feelings of pain, loss, and regret into this song, in a way that is relatable for anyone who has gone through any form of loss: romantic loss, losing a friend, having a loved one pass away, a missed connection. We all have regrets when we lose someone, in any form. And even if it’s not loss, we all live with guilt of some kind, a powerful and disruptive emotion. Belinda hopes to normalize this emotion and help others seek ways to imagine a time and space where they can get their redemption because they’re truly sorry.

The song features popping, engaging drums; a colorful bass line; bright, shimmering guitars; and twinkling keys. It has a powerful, moving, and infectious chorus, and a melancholic bridge that swells into the ending.”

I’ve made a commitment to refrain from sharing complete press releases, but this particular one is crucial for grasping the context of the song. It beautifully bridges the gap to the sound itself, allowing me to connect with the music on a deeper level. The intensity of the music enhances the listening experience in ways I never expected, making it profoundly resonant. The emotional impact of the chorus is overwhelming; every time I listen, it moves me to the verge of tears.

Now we’re free from time and our minds and bodies
Wanna go back, back out to the sea
And I close my eyes and remember it all
How I messed up, can you please just take my call

While I have not personally experienced the loss of a sibling, I am surrounded by ones who have, and I deeply understand the profound impact such a loss can have on a person’s life. This is why I have immense admiration for Belinda, who beautifully channels her emotions into her music, particularly in this poignant track. I’ve found myself listening to it on repeat, captivated by its enchanting shoegaze pop sound. It creates a dreamy atmosphere that I could immerse myself in for hours without feeling the slightest bit tired. Belinda’s voice is so incredibly powerful and haunting that I find myself compelled to revisit this song time and again. It truly is an emotionally charged masterpiece that resonates deeply with anyone who listens.

Written by Filip Zemcik