Slow a… Read Full Bio ↴Barzin is a Canadian singer-songwriter named Barzin Hosseini.
Slow and melancholic, introspective and confessional: These words in some ways describe the sound of Barzin. A project that began sometime in 1995, Barzin was a solo endeavor at its inception. But somewhere along the way it shed its solitary skin allowing a wide array of characters into it’s sound. From amongst a rotating cast of musicians, who occasionally made appearances on recordings and at performances, three individuals slowly became a fixture of this project. The three characters in question are Mike Findlay, Suzanne Hancock, and Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers). On 2003, Barzin released its self-titled debut album through the Montreal based label, Where Are My Records. The following year an E.P. titled Songs for Hinah, was released through the French based label, Hinah. And in 2006, the second full-length album titled My Life in Rooms was released in Canada through Weewerk Records and in Europe and U.S. through Monotreme Records.
Barzin's second album, entitled My Life In Rooms, walks a minimalist line between chamber pop, alt-country, and indie rock. This collection of songs leans toward the melancholic writing of such bands as Tindersticks and Mojave 3. Barzin fuses instruments such as French horn, vibraphone, pedal steel, and a drum machine to create a unique, quiet music that is expansive and at times cinematic, while never losing its sense of intimacy or honesty. Barzin, Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers) and Suzanne Hancock were the central musicians on the album, while Don Kerr, Sandro Perri (Polmo Polpo), Tamara Williamson, Lewis Melville, and Matt Verta-Ray (Heavy Trash) all helped shape its remarkable sound. The lovely string arrangements were scored by Karen Graves (who also arranged Hayden's Skyscraper National Park)
On his new and latest album, "Notes to an Absent Lover" (Monotreme Records) Barzin leaves behind the sonic experimentation that played such a central role in "My life in Rooms." He brings together a new cast of musicians (Nick Zubeck, Marshal Bureau, Darren Wall, Robbie Grunwald) for this album. With the addition of these new musicians, a new range is introduced to the songs as well as to the overall sound of the album.
"Notes to an Absent Lover" brings new textures and colors to the Barzin palette. The album balances the introspection of his earlier work with up-tempo orchestral arrangements that provide a richly melodic heartbeat to these glowing confessionals. Personal but never indulgent, the raw honesty of the lyrics details universal themes of sorrow, regret and anger, evoking all the vulnerability and shifting emotions confronted in the wake of a shattered relationship.
"Notes to an Absent Lover" was recorded by Don Kerr (Ron Sexsmith) and Jeremy Darby (Pink Floyd, Lou Reed), and mixed by Chad Irschick and Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, The New Pornographers).
Lost
Barzin Lyrics
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You were lost inside your heart
We were both lost from the start
But you were soft, softer than love
Only you could love this bastard heart
Only you could love this bastard heart
Did you find yourself in me?
I wonder how the story will be
All I know
Your absence fills everything
You're the reason why I sing
You're the reason why I sing
The lyrics of Barzin's song Lost evoke a sense of lost love, confusion and longing. The song begins with the singer confessing that he was lost inside a song while the other person was lost inside their heart, suggesting that both of them were searching for something or someone to fill a void. The repeated use of the word 'lost' emphasizes the confusion and disorientation felt by both parties.
The next two lines - "We were both lost from the start / But you were soft, softer than love" - indicate that the relationship was doomed from the beginning, but the other person's gentle nature made it difficult for the singer to let go. The line "Only you could love this bastard heart" suggests that the singer feels he is undeserving of love and that the other person's affections are precious to him.
The chorus of the song expresses the pain of separation, with the singer admitting that the other person's absence fills everything. He also acknowledges that this person is the reason he sings, possibly indicating that music is a way for him to process his emotions and express his feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of Lost are relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of lost love, and Barzin's gentle vocal delivery adds to the sense of vulnerability and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
I was lost inside a song
I was caught up in the emotions and meaning of a song, feeling disconnected from my own reality.
You were lost inside your heart
You were experiencing a period of inner turmoil or confusion, uncertain of your own emotions and thoughts.
We were both lost from the start
Our relationship was destined for failure or hardship right from the beginning, as we were both struggling internally.
But you were soft, softer than love
Despite your personal struggles, you had a gentle and caring nature that was even more compassionate than the emotion of love itself.
Only you could love this bastard heart
You were the only one capable of understanding and accepting the flaws and complexities of my heart.
Did I lose myself in you?
I became so engrossed in our relationship that I lost a sense of my own identity and individuality.
Did you find yourself in me?
You may have been seeking a sense of purpose or belonging, and found it in our relationship.
I wonder how the story will be
I am uncertain about the future of our relationship, and am curious about what will happen next.
All I know
Despite my uncertainty, there is one thing that remains clear.
Your absence fills everything
Your absence has left a void in my life that affects every aspect of my being.
You're the reason why I sing
You have had a profound impact on my life, and are the inspiration behind the songs I create.
Contributed by Vivian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.