“We know that every single kid out there is tired of the same old dance-pop record that gets released every single week. Our goal is to be the music scene’s saving grace,” says guitarist Mike Kitlas. “It will tell our listeners that we are here to stay and we are not a fad band that will fade out as soon as dance-pop is outdated.”
Free Your Mind extends beyond the cut-and-paste albums being churned out, instead infusing dynamic guitars behind the soul-shaking howls and relatable melodies from frontman Slade Echeverria. Crafted in Los Angeles by producer Mike Green (Paramore, Good Charlotte) over a four-week span in Los Angeles, Free Your Mind's formation came from a desire to break out from the "fad band" chokehold and delve into what was real.
The EP's lyrical themes of drama-addled love are age-appropriate for this band still fresh from cap and gown status, yet show emerging maturity and growth while navigating the waters of life on the road and in the press, as well as their loss of anonymity. Not one track doesn’t contain a purpose or reason ripped from the band’s own personal headlines, and the EP title wasn’t without a conscious peek into their agenda, either.
“We want to challenge kids to think outside of the norm, and really find themselves, rather then just following what the crowd is doing,” Kitlas said. “We want to show our listeners that they are not alone, we all go through our struggles and everyone has their ups and downs in life.”
The seven-track EP, kicks off with a mischievous call to a wayward paramour on “Let The Games Begin,” before sliding into the instant hip-shaking grooves of “The Brightest Green,” a slice of Maroon 5-ish soul that takes on a life of its own. Anarbor takes a familiar formula but adds a warmth and genuineness to every guitar lick and lyric that keeps them relatable yet unique. Each track seamlessly follows the next, spinning clever lyrics and brisk guitars, and each adds another deft chapter to this memorable volume.
“The distinctive sound we are reaching for is rock and roll. We don't use any instruments in our songs that we don’t play live, we are going for a very raw and real sound for this record,” Kitlas said. When noted that shared influences range from Third Eye Blind to Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s even more apparent where the EP’s driving and fully-executed rock-based energy gained its roots.
The easy nature and chemistry of the band from Phoenix, Arizona, formed in 2003 is more than just a cosmic luck for an emerging band. Because this, in years of formation, is by no means a freshman band. Echeverria and Kitlas became friends in grade school, and continued to grow up experiencing many life-changing events together, securing a bond that eventually extended to music, and a decision to make it their ultimate ambition. The band signed to Hopeless Records before they even received their high school diplomas.
More than just a sum of its parts, the writing process for Anarbor is a group united, with each member adding input in acoustic jam sessions that allows everyone to collaborate and contribute creatively. It’s a cohesion that allowed each member’s personal preferences and talents shine when it came to recording.
Sharing the stage with everyone from Fall Out Boy to the Gin Blossoms, as well as a coveted spot on this year’s Take Action! Tour, Anarbor is gaining steady recognition as the diverse band to watch among a sea of faux rock ‘n rollers. This motivated and utterly gifted band will resonate with any listener who knows a thing or two about learning who you are and putting your ambitions into motion.
“We want people to walk away feeling comforted and confident in themselves,” Kitlas said. “Music is a universal language that everyone can relate to. We talk about our real life stories, feelings and situations. You can expect real music and real lyrics, no filler.”
Between You And I
Anarbor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
You and I
We never get to sleep we're up all day
We're overworked and under paid
We're always stuck in repeat day by day
Watching time drift away as we burn away
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
You and I
We've never felt so right
That just might be just what I need (to get me through the night)
You and I
We're the perfect fit you've got me hooked
So then I could never never quit, I just burn away
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
Oh oh
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it, we can make it
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
Oh oh
The lyrics to Anarbor's song "You and I" convey the idea that the person singing is incomplete without their partner, stating that without them there is no reason for their story. However, when they are together, everything falls into place and they feel they can be themselves. The singer emphasizes the concept of forever and how if the couple stays together they will be able to make things better.
The chorus repeats the phrase "You and I" to further emphasize their bond and how they spend their time together. Despite being overworked and underpaid, they always find joy in each other's company. The line " Watching time drift away as we burn away" might suggest that the lyricist feels like they are burning through time while indulging in their love but without any regret at all. The verse "We've never felt so right / That just might be just what I need (to get me through the night)" signifies that the singer may be going through a difficult time, and their partner strengthens and keeps them going.
The repetition of the last stanza drives the point home, that being with their partner makes everything better. The song portrays a positive outlook on a romantic relationship, emphasizing that the couple complements each other and creates something beautiful together.
Line by Line Meaning
Without you, there's no reason for my story
My life is incomplete without you, and you are the only person who gives purpose to my life
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
You make me feel so comfortable that I can be my true self when I am with you
Forever, yeah if we're together
If we stay together forever, our lives will be complete
We can make it better
Together, we can make our lives better than they are now
You and I
We never get to sleep we're up all day
We spend all our time together, even if it means sacrificing sleep
We're overworked and under paid
Our lives are tough and we don't always receive the rewards we deserve
You and I
We're always stuck in repeat day by day
Our lives are monotonous and routine, and we feel trapped in a cycle of repetition
Watching time drift away as we burn away
We feel like we are wasting time as we watch our lives slip by
We've never felt so right
That just might be just what I need (to get me through the night)
Being with you feels so good that it has become essential for me to feel content and happy
We're the perfect fit you've got me hooked
So then I could never never quit, I just burn away
We are so compatible that I am addicted to being with you, and leaving you would be unbearable
Oh oh
Expresses a feeling of excitement and joy
We can make it, we can make it
We are confident that together we can make our lives better and achieve our dreams
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Artémis
Lyrics :
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
You and I
We never get to sleep we're up all day
We're overworked and under paid
You and I
We're always stuck in repeat day by day
Watching time drift away as we burn away
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
You and I
We've never felt so right
That just might be just what I need (to get me through the night)
You and I
We're the perfect fit you've got me hooked
So then I could never never quit, I just burn away
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
Oh oh
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it, we can make it
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
Oh oh
Denisa Coroama
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
You and I
We never get to sleep we're up all day
We're overworked and under paid
You and I
We're always stuck in repeat day by day
Watching time drift away as we burn away
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
You and I
We've never felt so right
That just might be just what I need (to get me through the night)
You and I
We're the perfect fit you've got me hooked
So then I could never never quit, I just burn away
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it... We can make it...
[x2]
Without you, there's no reason for my story
And when I'm with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
Oh oh oh-oh oh oh-oh [x2]
Dylan Hutchins
Back when this aired on the Scooby-Doo movie on Cartoon Network, I obsessed over this song. Ahh nostalgia
AnimezFTW Watcher
YES! :D
xoxoNicole100
ikr
Emanuel Wong
True
DellBot
back when i was 8-9 when this came out.
Alexandre Bajool
Novarious Sim cool story bruh
Taro Pearl
For years i've been absently humming or singing bits and pieces of this song. And now i've finally found it! Dang, talk about nostalgia.
Proto
Same, this song is too damn catchy
Zac Stoker
Same man I've always came back to this song every once in awhile.
Too Nasty
Katie Matter Exactly😂