Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, Mackey developed a taste for the work of artists like PJ Harvey and the Jesus & Mary Chain, as well as various new wave and shoegaze acts. After playing in various bands, including Deaf Club, she relocated to London where she lived for five years before settling in Margate, Kent. There she began writing her own songs -- inspired by her own experiences as well as the written works of Virginia Woolf and Milan Kundera -- and began listening to more electronic music from artists like John Maus and Caribou. Opting for the moniker "Art School Girlfriend," her songs caught the attention of Grammy Award-winning producer Paul Epworth (Florence + the Machine, Adele) and she signed with his label, Wolf Tone Records, in 2017. Her debut EP, Measures, followed later that year and Mackey promoted the release with live performances around the U.K. in 2018. A second EP, Into the Blue Hour, was released in 2018, and various remixes and standalone tracks followed over the next two years. The first Art School Girlfriend album, Is It Light Where You Are, came out on Wolf Tone Records in September of 2021, and was accompanied by companion piece Is It Dark Where You Are, a collection of remixes including work from Baltra, Jessica Winter, Blankson, and others, released in 2022. Sophomore album Soft Landing was released in August of 2023, created with the help of co-producer Riley MacIntyre and British songwriter Marika Hackman.
Moon
Art School Girlfriend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look your way, and you tilt your head out of place
Far away I have acquired your word through the fray(?)
And I savour another drink, and you stay
At the moon you breathe life
In the shade, in the glowing corners, I wait
Let it move to the darker side of the moon
Come to you as you keep one eye on the room
At the moon you breathe life
The song "Moon" by Art School Girlfriend is a dreamy and introspective track that explores longing, connection, and the power of the moon as a symbol of emotional intensity. The opening lyrics ("I await at?? / Look your way, and you tilt your head out of place") set the tone for the song's themes of anticipation and uncertainty. The singer is waiting for someone's attention and is intrigued by their subtle gestures, such as tilting their head.
The second verse ("Far away I have acquired your word through the fray / And I savour another drink, and you stay") hints at the distance between the two people and how they communicate indirectly. Despite this distance, the singer still feels a connection and savors the moment. The chorus, "At the moon you breathe life," suggests that the moon is a source of inspiration and life force for the singer, and perhaps for the person they are longing for as well.
The third verse ("I'm awake to the space in my mind that you take / In the shade, in the glowing corners, I wait / Let it move to the darker side of the moon / Come to you as you keep one eye on the room") further explores the singer's internal world, as they become more aware of how the other person occupies their thoughts. The imagery of the moon shifting to a darker side suggests a sense of mystery and hidden desires. The closing lyrics, once again repeating "At the moon you breathe life," leave the listener with a sense of deep resonance and connection to the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
I await at??
I am waiting for something, but it is unclear what that is
Look your way, and you tilt your head out of place
When I look at you, I notice that you tilt your head in an unusual way
Far away I have acquired your word through the fray(?)
Even though you are far away, I have heard what you said through a difficult situation or conflict (represented by 'the fray')
And I savour another drink, and you stay
While I enjoy another drink, you remain in my thoughts
At the moon you breathe life
You find inspiration and vitality in the moon's glow
I'm awake to the space in my mind that you take
I am aware of the mental space that you occupy in my thoughts
In the shade, in the glowing corners, I wait
I am patiently waiting in the shadows and corners, possibly metaphorically for an opportunity or chance with you
Let it move to the darker side of the moon
I hope that our relationship can progress to a deeper, more meaningful level
Come to you as you keep one eye on the room
I will approach you while being aware of our surroundings, implying that I am cautious or hesitant
Writer(s): POLLY LOUISE MACKEY
Contributed by Kaelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@beanie5677
Such calming when I have anxiety from this world….thank you
@makennalee9804
Finding good music late at night is the best ❤
@antoninopullara7220
Almost every night I come here to listen to this masterpiece 💜
@brandocalifornia3024
Forever grateful to the algorithm for showing me this years ago. I just listened to the new album and it blew me away.
@bluequailsound
Too cool for school
@xiaminjade8741
I just found this, and I love it. You sound like the music I want to make one day.
@wakeupmofoers691
digging it BAD
@hafsaisasad
cool <3
@darksoul9656
оооочень круто)))))
@candicenicolson257
Can't stop listening to this song and to "Measures" too. The music is so addictive and your voice is beautiful ✨ 💜 I wish you had more likes and subscribers coz you deserve it !
love you from France ! (French fan😄) 🇫🇷 🗼 🥖