What So Not started as a project between record producer Emoh Instead and Flume. On 13 November 2011, What So Not released their debut EP, 7 Dollar Bill. During this time, they had released several remixes of artists such as Peking Duk, Tom Piper, and Major Lazer,. In early 2013, they embarked on the Massive Universe Tour, in several venues across Australia. In 28 May 2013, they released their second EP, The Quack, featuring a collaboration with Action Bronson on label OWSLA.
The duo released the song, "Jaguar" on 6 December 2013.
On 24 June 2014, What So Not and RL Grime released their single, "Tell Me", with Chris Martins from Spin describing the track as "of both melodic might and percussive ferocity".
On 20 February 2015, Flume announced that he has departed from the What So Not project, citing creative differences. In a post written on Facebook, What So Not stated that "over the last while, Emoh and I have been moving in different directions creatively, we haven't made any music together in quite a while", and thanked Flume for his time and effort put into the project.
"Gemini" which features George Maple, the first track from the Gemini EP, debuted on 9 May 2015. The track was named on Triple J Hottest 100 later that year and peaked at number 52 on the Australian Singles Chart. The lead and title track features Sydney-based singer George Maple.
Gemini was released as a free download on 18 December 2015, which featured collaborations with artists Dillon Francis, Tunji Ige and KLP (musician). The EP was downloaded over 800,000 times, charted globally on iTunes Electronic EP chart and was named to various year-end "best of" lists.
In November 2015, What So Not, Baauer and George Maple co-produced a track for Australian rapper Tkay Maidza, titled "Ghost". The song was premiered on Triple J.
On 9 September 2016, What So Not released the 6-track Divide & Conquer EP, which includes previously released track "Lone".
In October 2016, What So Not, George Maple and Djemba Djemba co-produced a track on Australian rapper Tkay Maidza's debut album, titled "Afterglow".
On 3 November 2016, RL Grime released the single "Waiting" in collaboration with What So Not and Skrillex which was in production since 2013. The track's release was teased through a promotional video which parodied chat-line advertisements and featured footage of 1980-era-influenced vixens with a phone number flashing across the screen, where by calling the number listeners can hear the song in full.
A collaboration between What So Not and New York artist LPX, "Better", was released on 8 September 2017; and was debuted on Australian Radio Station Triple J 7 September 2017. "I had a few productions I’d been working on in this sonic field but struggled to find a vocalist with the right attitude and tone to fit. Lizzy and I clicked instantly on this trajectory & began jamming on the tune," stated What So Not about the track's production. He released "Be Ok Again" which featured Australian musician Daniel Johns on 28 November 2017. The track was produced after Johns noticed What So Not working with Slumberjack as he walked by the studio, which prompted him to invite What So Not to work together at his Newscastle studio.
On 31 January 2018, What So Not announced the arrival of his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things which was released on 9 March 2018. The album featured collaborations with artists Skrillex, Slumberjack, San Holo, and American rock band Toto. Together with the announcement, he released lead album single "Stuck In Orbit" which was co-produced with Jono Ma from Australian psychedelic dance band Jagwar Ma. What So Not released third album single titled "Beautiful" on 27 February 2018 and announced a national Australia tour for his "Beautiful Things' World Tour" where he visited cities Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in June 2018.
What So Not's first single of 2019, "We Can Be Friends" featuring American singer Herizen, was released on 22 January 2019. He previously met the singer at a songwriting workshop in Nicaragua, while citing American record producer and rapper J Dilla as the track's main inspiration.
Lone
What So Not Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you miss me not being by your side?
By your side?
Well, I thought that i was someone to you
When I just wanted to be your hope to you
By your side
You hold another in your arms
I tried, my luck got stoned
and now you're pulling me back in
When I've cried underneath
But you're under my skin
I let you leak into my veins
Now I can't take you
I want you left lone
How can I feel drown?
How can I feel drown?
How can I feel drown?
How can I feel drown?
Well, I thought that I was someone to you
I just wanted to be a home to you
You hold another in your arms
I tried, my luck got stoned
and now you're pulling me back in
When I've cried underneath
But you're under my skin
I let you leak into my veins
Now I can't take you
I want you left lone
Take this slow
'Cause it's moving too fast
As the warmth in your heart
There's a cold in your grasp
(Always had a choice when I'm begging you to stay)
In "Lone", What So Not expresses the pain and confusion of feeling replaced by someone else. The lyrics open with the singer questioning if they still hold any significance in the other person's life or if they are easily forgettable. The use of repetition in the phrase "by your side" and the questioning tone adds to the uncertainty and insecurity expressed in the lyrics.
The next line reveals that the singer considered themselves to be important to the other person, but now they realize that the person only needed them as a source of hope rather than a genuine connection. The chorus brings out the emotional turmoil caused by seeing the person they love with someone else while still having feelings for them. The lines "I let you leak into my veins / Now I can't take you" display the helplessness of not being able to let go of someone even though they cause pain.
The bridge of the song expresses the confusion and the push and pull of the situation. The lyrics "Take this slow / 'Cause it's moving too fast" represent the singer's desire to slow down and process their emotions properly. However, they are still conflicted because they feel the warmth of affection from the person they love, but at the same time, there is a coldness in their touch that makes the situation unbearable.
Overall, "Lone" is a heartfelt expression of heartbreak and unrequited love, showcasing the complexities and intense emotions that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Have I ever was something on your mind?
Have you ever thought about me?
Do you miss me not being by your side?
Do you miss having me around?
By your side?
Do you want me to be there?
Well, I thought that I was someone to you
I believed I was important to you
When I just wanted to be your hope to you
When all I wanted was to give you hope
You hold another in your arms
You are with someone else
I tried, my luck got stoned
I tried but failed
and now you're pulling me back in
And now you want me back
When I've cried underneath
When I've been hurt in the past
But you're under my skin
I can't get you out of my head
I let you leak into my veins
I let you become a part of me
Now I can't take you
Now I can't handle you
I want you left lone
I want you to be alone
How can I feel drown?
How can I feel suffocated?
Take this slow
Let's not rush things
'Cause it's moving too fast
Because things are moving too quickly
As the warmth in your heart
As the love in your heart
There's a cold in your grasp
But you're holding back
(Always had a choice when I'm begging you to stay)
You always had the choice to stay or leave, but I begged you to stay
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.