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.
Take Shelter
Active Child Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's some place that I know of that will hold you down
Travel south through the city avoiding all the passing cars
Streets are wrong, streets are trying to tear you up
If you're even in need of a helping hand
There's some people that I know of that will be your friend
Travel south through the city to the wrong turn signals
Streets are wrong, streets are trying to tear you up
Ooh, take shelter in my arms
If you're afraid in the world
If you're afraid in the world
Say a prayer tonight
Lay down and close your eyes
You'll feel safer in my arms
You'll feel safer
You'll feel safer
If you're afraid
If you're afraid in this world
Say a prayer tonight
Lay down and close your eyes
You'll be safer in my arms
You'll be safer
You'll be safer
If you're afraid in this world
If you're afraid in the world
Say a prayer tonight
Lay down and close your eyes
You'll be safer in my arms
You'll be safe
The song "Take Shelter" by Active Child is a comforting and reassuring declaration of support and love for someone who is struggling or in need of a helping hand. The lyrics describe a dangerous and intimidating city, with streets that are "trying to tear you up," but the singer promises to provide a safe haven from the chaos. The verses provide detailed directions to reach this place of refuge, emphasizing that it is a real and concrete location that the listener can rely on. The chorus repeats the invitation to "take shelter in my arms," with the singer emphasizing that the listener will feel safer and more secure in this embrace.
The song's theme of protection and safety is reinforced by its gentle and soothing music. The instrumentation consists mostly of piano and strings, with occasional bursts of percussion and synth. The pace is slow and deliberate, with a steady beat that suggests a calm and steady heart. The singer's voice is angelic and ethereal, with a falsetto that soars above the music like a protective canopy.
Overall, "Take Shelter" is a beautiful and heartfelt expression of love and solidarity. In a world that can be scary and overwhelming, the singer offers the listener a safe space to rest and recover, promising that they will be safer and more at peace in his arms.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're ever on the wrong side of this town
If you find yourself lost or alone in a dangerous place
There's some place that I know of that will hold you down
There's a safe haven where you can find refuge and support
Travel south through the city avoiding all the passing cars
Navigate through a potentially hazardous environment with caution
Streets are wrong, streets are trying to tear you up
The streets are unforgiving and can be harmful if not careful
If you're even in need of a helping hand
If you ever need someone to turn to for assistance
There's some people that I know of that will be your friend
There are good people who will be there to help you
Travel south through the city to the wrong turn signals
Make your way to the location of those who can provide help
As I go ooh, take shelter in my arms
Come into my embrace to find comfort and protection
If you're afraid in the world
If you feel scared and alone in this big, dangerous world
Say a prayer tonight
Take a moment to reflect and find solace in prayer
Lay down and close your eyes
Rest and let yourself be at ease
You'll feel safer in my arms
Finding refuge and security in the embrace of someone you trust
You'll feel safer
Finding comfort and relief from fear and danger
You'll be safer
Finding protection and shelter from the dangers of the world
If you're afraid in this world
If the world seems scary and dangerous to you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Patrick J Grossi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind