The band was formed with five members in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The band consisted of vocalist Shawn O'Brien, lead guitarist Thomas Buser, rhythm guitarist Wes Jenkins, bassist and keyboardist Brandon Lawrance and drummer Johnny Bay.
O'Brien and Buser started the project in 2010. They released a couple of singles online. When O'Brien decided that he was going to become a solo artist, he had set up several different projects across the nation with many different people. But none of those projects had topped Above This. The name comes from the experience that one may face when dealing with rejection, misjudgment, or denial from their friends or family. When O'Brien got kicked out of his first legit band around 2009, he told himself that he wouldn't join another band anytime soon, but after meeting the other members of the band and connecting, they became a band.
Some time later, Jenkins, Lawrance and Bay left the band and Buser took over the role for producing the instrumentals while O'Brien did the vocals. During these years, they released two albums "7L7" in 2010 and "Titanium" in 2013, and two EPs, "Empire" in 2012 and "Hyrax" in 2015.
Eventually Buser also left the project, and O'Brien continued on with the project with different collaborations. The album "Alloquy" was made with Zachary Stitleler in 2015, and the album "Chapter 7" was made with Cameron Ayala and Nicholas Shtyrlov in 2016.
Shtyrlov eventually became a more integral part of the band, now producing all instrumentals for Above This.
O’Brien has built an empire consisting of producers, designers, promoters and engineers that have helped him successfully release several albums since they started. O’Briens ability to recruit talent via social media has allowed the internet band to monetise its music worldwide. Over the years the project has experimented with a variety of sounds including rapping and edm/trap and O’Brien continues to work on future projects amongst different genres.
Shape Shifter
Above This Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're standing on the edge of mountain tops
This is the final rage so don′t you turn the page
This is for everyone who wants to know
Our world is constantly changing
Our world is better than yours
Our world is constantly changing
Our world is better than yours
Every single day you say it
Every single day you say it
Every single day, I turn to you and say
Let's change the pattern of the this off scale world (off scale world)
You can′t take this anymore
Transform, all of your continents
What is this vision of a perfect world? (perfect world)
If we all started to work together, our land would be cleaner
If we all started to change the weather, our skies would be clearer
Why don′t you do your part
East side, West side
Let's come together and make change
This is our effort, to clean up the world
Your either in or out, so are you in or out
Oh, shape shifter
We are here, we′ll make this clear
The world is changing for your hands to make
So what path will you take, what path will you take
This one's for you Thomy, cause you′ll always be my friend
East side, West side, put your fucking hands up, here we go!
Oh, your dead to me,
Burn the nation down
I was sent from the sky to burn the nation down
(Battle roar)
Bitch your dead to me,
Burn the nation down
The song "Shape Shifter" by Above This can be interpreted as a call to action for people to take responsibility for the state of the world we live in. The first verse begins with a call to pause and think about the current state of affairs, standing on the edge of mountain tops. The lyrics then progress with the familiar theme of constant change, but in this case with an emphasis that our world is better than yours. The chorus implores the listener to take action; let's change the pattern of this off scale world, transform our continents and start working together to make the world cleaner and clearer.
The song takes on a more aggressive tone during the bridge and the second verse. The idea of individual responsibility is brought into sharper focus, as it's the effort of each person that will collectively contribute to a cleaner world. The lyricism urges everyone to do their part and come together, East side, West side, and make change. The intensity of the bridge grows, with the repeated phrase "shape shifter" leading up to a battle cry of "burn the nation down."
The final verse is a tribute to Thomy, who will always be the songwriter's friend. The song ends with a call to action once again, emphasizing that the world is changing and it is up to us to choose the path we take.
Line by Line Meaning
Let′s take a seat just figure all this out
Let's take a moment to think and analyze the situation
We're standing on the edge of mountain tops
We are at the brink of a significant change
This is the final rage so don′t you turn the page
This is the endgame, so don't take it lightly
This is for everyone who wants to know
This message is for anyone willing to listen
Our world is constantly changing
The world is always evolving
Our world is better than yours
Our world has the potential to be better than it currently is
And you know it's true
You are aware of the possibility for positive change
Every single day you say it
Every day, you make the choice to vocalize this desire for change
Every single day, I turn to you and say
Every day, I appeal to you personally to take action
Let's change the pattern of the this off scale world (off scale world)
Let's alter the current trajectory of our world and create something better
You can′t take this anymore
You are fed up with the current state of affairs
Transform, all of your continents
Change everything about the way we live on this Earth
What is this vision of a perfect world? (perfect world)
What do we want our ideal world to look like?
If we all started to work together, our land would be cleaner
Collectively, we have the power to make the world more sustainable
If we all started to change the weather, our skies would be clearer
If we prioritize the health of the planet, we can reverse the effects of climate change
Why don′t you do your part
What actions are you taking to make the world a better place?
East side, West side
Regardless of where we come from, we all share the same planet
Let's come together and make change
We need to unite and work as a team to bring about positive change
This is our effort, to clean up the world
This is our contribution to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable world
Your either in or out, so are you in or out
You're either committed to this cause or not, what's your stance?
Oh, shape shifter
We have the power to change the world for the better
We are here, we′ll make this clear
We are present and will make our intentions known
The world is changing for your hands to make
The world is in our hands, it's up to us to make it a better place
So what path will you take, what path will you take
What choices will you make to contribute to the betterment of our world?
This one's for you Thomy, cause you′ll always be my friend
A personal message dedicates this effort to a friend
East side, West side, put your fucking hands up, here we go!
Let's show our commitment to the cause and make a change together!
Oh, your dead to me,
Those who refuse to take action to change the world are dead to this cause
Burn the nation down
It's time to protest against the current status quo
I was sent from the sky to burn the nation down
A metaphor for feeling empowered to bring about radical change
(Battle roar)
A moment of inspiration and motivation to take action
Bitch your dead to me,
Those who refuse to join the cause are disregarded
Burn the nation down
Take action and assert our power to bring meaningful change
Contributed by Andrew Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@breonwilliams87
You guys are amazing, get on tour pronto!
@TommorowISNAP
should come to holland, amsterdam and chill out, listening to your music quite some time now.
@Kick2FaceMan
I'm so going to buy this album next month!
@115Edits
I couldn't agree more.
@ThatsACoolComment
To many people criticizing. He's making his music the way he wants to, It sounds great. Let the man be in peace.
@ronorrhea
It sounds different. I like it. Good job, dude. Keep kicking ass!
@Gigz805
Great song, AT keeps getting better and better... (devil horns!!!)
@Zooted17
This is different, but so great. Good job Shawn I really like it.
@DiishonorEdits
listening to the whole album right noww, lets just say holy fuck.
@treevsgtar
nice