For Pat Grossi of Active Child, the last two years have been nothing short of enriching. Musically, Pat has worked within and appropriated a number of styles into his sound, from his early days singing with that heavenly voice as a choir boy to his more recent forays into laptop-assisted indie-pop made in his bedroom, best exemplified on 2010’s acclaimed Curtis Lane EP. His sound is so wide-ranging that he has found himself touring with many notable acts of differing genres, including dubstep producer James Blake, dreamy synth-pop of School of Seven Bells, and the indie-rock bands White Lies and White Rabbits.
Nothing quite prepares you for the leap that Pat has taken with his debut album, You Are All I See, out on August 23rd via Vagrant records. Recently, he has expanded his sonic ambitions and turned the studio into an instrument for a record that sounds cosmically huge and yet intimate all the same.
Of the album title, Pat himself says, “You Are All I See is an attempt to build a bridge between the listener and I, in that, I wrote these songs for you as much as I did for me. And right now when you are listening to my voice, by yourself, it really is just you and I.” In attempting to craft songs that meant something not only to himself but that could be meaningful to others as well, he found himself working with some universally human and fragile themes. “The songs focus primarily on the joy and heartbreak of relationships, love lost and rediscovered, battles with monogamy, battles with identity,” Pat says. “It came out much darker than I had intended, but sometimes you only have so much control.”
The grand, cinematic scope of Pat’s artistic vision is apparent on You Are All I See, which owes as much to his wide array of influences as it does to Pat’s own knack for employing these influences in fresh, forward-thinking ways. With triumphant synths and shimmering, contrapuntal harp lines, songs like the title track and “Hanging On” are reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Motion Picture Soundtrack,” but improve upon that template with layered vocals not far removed from Bon Iver or even James Blake, who Active Child recently opened for on tour. “High Priestess” and “See Thru Eyes” are stunning forays into electronic music territory, littered with samples, drum machines, and keyboards that propel the songs forward while simultaneously seeming weightless and suspended. It is in this tension that You Are All I See lives, breathes, and thrives so magnificently. The album is indebted to the sounds of the 1980s, from New Order’s drums-and-synths to danceable hip-hop beats, and it’s all topped off with soaring r&b melodies. The album’s first single, “Playing House,” features guest vocals from Tom Krell, the crooner of lo-fi r&b project How To Dress Well. Pitchfork Media recently premiered the track, noting “Active Child’s sound now seems positively ahead of its time.”
Reflecting on the album’s finished product, Pat says “I think more than anything, I see this debut release as a bridge towards something bigger and truer. Something I can look back on and think, ‘damn, you really did it’.” When you finally hear You Are All I See you’ll think the very same thing.
Playing House
Active Child Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I think you've had enough cause I know that it's wrong.
This is going on, going on for way too long
I think you aught to know I just can't wait
Oh I'm trying to find you oh I'm trying to reach your God
I don't even know just what I want
I don't even know just what I want
Maybe we're just playing house just 'cause it feels good
Maybe we're just playing house just 'cause it feels good
That don't make it good for anybody
Don't want to be in love just with any body
I'm tired of being just Mr. Anybody
So baby come with me and let's just make a body, between us
I need you to see me-
Girl I've been waiting please don't leave me needing
When you want I will always be fair.
Always
Oh I'm trying to find you oh I'm trying to reach your God
I don't even know just what I want
I don't even know just what I want
Maybe we're just playing house just 'cause it feels good
Just 'cause it feels good
The lyrics of Active Child's "Playing House" reflect the feelings of uncertainty and hesitation in a romantic relationship. The song starts with the statement "This is getting tough sitting here waiting for you", indicating the frustration and impatience in waiting for the person they are interested in. The singer questions if the relationship is worth pursuing with the words "Maybe we're just playing house just 'cause it feels good", implying that the relationship is not based on genuine affection but rather the pleasure of the moment. They continue to express unease with the situation, knowing that it is not right and that they "think you've had enough".
Line by Line Meaning
This is getting tough sitting here waiting for you.
I am finding it difficult to wait for you and the situation is becoming unbearable.
And I think you've had enough cause I know that it's wrong.
You have endured enough as I am aware our relationship is inappropriate.
This is going on, going on for way too long
This relationship has lasted for too long than it was supposed to.
I think you aught to know I just can't wait
You should be aware that I am impatient and cannot wait anymore.
Oh I'm trying to find you oh I'm trying to reach your God
I am putting in a lot of effort to find you and connect with you spiritually.
I don't even know just what I want
I am unaware of what I really want from this relationship.
Maybe we're just playing house just 'cause it feels good
Perhaps we are merely pretending to be in a serious relationship because it makes us feel good.
That don't make it good for anybody
However, this behavior is not good for either of us.
Don't want to be in love just with anybody
I do not want to fall in love with just anybody, it has to be the right person.
I'm tired of being just Mr. Anybody
I am exhausted from being seen as just another random person in your life.
So baby come with me and let's just make a body, between us
Hence, Join me and let us make a connection, something just between us.
I need you to see me-
I have a desire for you to truly understand me.
Girl I’ve been waiting please don't leave me needing
I have been patiently waiting for you, so please do not abandon me.
When you want I will always be fair
I will always be fair and equitable whenever you need me.
Maybe we're just playing house just 'cause it feels good
It is possible that our relationship is based solely on feeling good rather than being genuine.
Just 'cause it feels good
The reason we are together is primarily due to the pleasure it provides us.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Patrick J Grossi, Thomas Krell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jace Beleren
DAMN!!!!! Can't stop listening and moving to this song. On repeat.
Seth Morgan
how do you do a repeat on a song, I love this song too lol
frostiblack
Amazing album.
Herb Burnley
Who still listening in 2023….
kadrea brazil
YESSSS
Aaron Cain
2069
Jow Bloe
Never get tired of this song
Bret Lebo
2022
Kenneth Larrabee
Yo
Rebel 718
I love Active Child..... this song speaks so much truth