Adolescence is BAYNK’s most meticulous work to date. It revels in eccentric, distinctive details while adhering to traditional pop structures. Most arrangements consist of grainy synth loops, plucky subs, and house-inspired drums; his digital sounds are drenched in reverb and slapped with sidechain. On the Cosmo’s Midnight-assisted “How Does it Feel?” languid synth pulses and a funky bassline give way to some of the sharpest vocal melodies on the album. “Remember,” which features Rainsford, exhibits BAYNK’s talent for peeling a heavily layered song back to its component parts before climaxing into an ecstatic yet graceful drop. This is dance music for headphones, club music for late-night walks.
The best songs on Adolescence bend toward straightforward pop formulas and, tellingly, include non-electronic instruments. “Mine” is led by quiet piano and spacey guitar, while standout “Naked” blends acoustic elements and electric bass with shimmering synths. BAYNK gives his best vocal performances here: “Get caught up on trying to pin you down/Your fingers ’round my neck, they’re feeling soft now," he coos on “Naked,” evoking the warm upper register of Whitney’s Julien Ehrlich. He’s not a great singer, as Tinashe makes plain when she steals the show on “Esther”; he scrubs clean his imperfections with layers of automation, delay, and reverb. Still, BAYNK has a keen ear for melody and knows his limits, wisely ceding the mic to guests while he works the boards.
The album is nominally a concept record about the immediacy of youth and romantic first experiences. “I went through this period of not being able to write anything,” BAYNK told Apple Music. Being in a “stable and happy relationship” wasn’t conducive to inspiration, so to get around his writer’s block, he returned to the creative cocoon of “first love.” Lyrically, the album is imagistic and vague, depicting half-baked scenes of lying in the sun, holding hands in a car, and walking through fields. The narrative never coalesces into anything meaningful, and its emotional pull wanes quickly. First love invigorates but rarely sustains; it’s BAYNK’s elastic and original production that propels the album forward, the pulse of the beat begging us to feel something beyond recognition.
When I'm Alone
BAYNK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trees, open hearts and falling snow
'Cause I'm alone
Better that way
I tell myself that every day
'Cause I'm in loveFalling each day
Doesn't make sense when you're away
Up in your heart, there's a place you go
Cold, open bar, nobody to hold
I'd like to change if you want me to
Crawl out the black and into the blue
'Cause I'm in love every day
You hold my hand, it feels okay
Walk through the fields, chasing the day
Follow the sun everything feels fine
Fine
When I'm alone
When I'm alone
With you
With you, I'm
With you
With you, I'm
With you
I-I'm with you
I'm with you, I'm
The lyrics of "When I'm Alone" by BAYNK & Tseba narrate the contrasting emotions and perspectives of being alone and being in love. The song explores the internal thoughts of the singer and their relationship with someone else.
In the first part, the singer describes a mental escape they have when they are alone. This place in their mind is depicted as serene and beautiful, with imagery of trees, open hearts, and falling snow. It serves as a coping mechanism for the singer, as they find solace in their solitude. They convince themselves that it is better to be alone, repeating this affirmation daily.
However, there is a contradiction in their feelings. The singer acknowledges being in love, admitting that they fall deeper in love each day. When the person they love is away, though, it doesn't make sense to them. This highlights the loneliness they experience despite their attempt to embrace solitude.
The perspective then shifts to the person the singer loves. In their heart, they have a different place they go to, which is described as cold and empty. It is like a bar with nobody to hold, emphasizing the lack of emotional connection in their life. The person expresses their willingness to change if the singer wants them to, indicating a desire to escape their own state of loneliness.
The chorus reveals the transformative power of love when the singer is with this person. Every day, they feel the love and support through holding hands, as it provides a sense of security and comfort. Walking through fields and chasing the day symbolizes a lighthearted and carefree experience. The mention of following the sun suggests a positive mindset where everything feels fine. However, all these positive feelings only occur when they are no longer alone, when they are with the person they love.
Overall, "When I'm Alone" explores the internal struggle between wanting solitude and desiring love and connection. It delves into the emotional journey of the singer as they come to terms with their loneliness and the transformative power of being in love with someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in my mind, there's a place I go
In my thoughts, I retreat to a serene and peaceful mental space
Trees, open hearts and falling snow
In this mental space, I envision nature, emotional vulnerability, and the calming beauty of snowfall
'Cause I'm alone
This mental escape occurs because I am solitary
Better that way
I convince myself that being alone is preferable
I tell myself that every day
I repeat this belief to reinforce its validity in my mind
'Cause I'm in love
However, I am also deeply in love
Falling each day
Each passing day deepens my affection
Doesn't make sense when you're away
Yet, it feels incomprehensible when you are not here with me
Up in your heart, there's a place you go
In your emotions, you have your own personal refuge
Cold, open bar, nobody to hold
This refuge feels desolate and lacking affectionate companionship
I'd like to change if you want me to
I am willing to alter myself to meet your desires
Crawl out the black and into the blue
I strive to escape negativity and immerse myself in positivity
'Cause I'm in love every day
Despite the challenges, my love for you persists daily
You hold my hand, it feels okay
When you grasp my hand, a sense of comfort and reassurance washes over me
Walk through the fields, chasing the day
Together, we explore the world, embracing each new day with enthusiasm
Follow the sun everything feels fine
As we pursue the sunlight, life feels content and worry-free
Fine
Everything is genuinely well and satisfactory
When I'm alone
Despite the tranquility of my personal escape, I yearn for your presence
With you
In your company
With you, I'm
When I am with you, I feel
With you
In your embrace
With you, I'm
In your presence, I am
With you
When you are near
I-I'm with you
I am undeniably and wholeheartedly by your side
I'm with you, I'm
I remain devoted and connected to you
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes
Written by: Jock Nowell-Usticke, Rutger H. N. Van Woudenberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@meghansullivan6812
Love how involved Baynk is in all aspects of his work — producing, singing, videos, musician 😮💨🤩
@santiago66903
Love your music, you are a great artist. I hope more people can hear more of your work 🙌🏻
@dirgewordsmithe
Been KILLING this song for a YEAR, thought it was a female lead vocalist! 🤯 Such an incredible sound!!! Love this song!!
@diankapours6214
SO GOOOOOD!! COME TO EFOREST PLEASEEE!!
@LocalBurnoutFolkHero
You guys should absolutely collaborate with the band Vansire. Your sounds compliment each other so much, I couldn’t even imagine what a song or even an album made by you guys working together could sound like. I bet Jesus himself would be booping his head going, “Damn!”.
@stellaguerra4363
My fav artist :)
@majurakk6474
so beautiful. thank you for this.
@kelsiepigeon5634
Your hard work paid off its beautiful, so is the song. Good Job, BAYNK!!
@usonker
I had to pause to write a comment that's how beautiful this song is ❤❤
@jvsb20
You don't get the recognition you deserve