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).
Words Tangled in Blue
Barzin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I thought about you
Words tangled in blue
What a mess, all because of you
Words tangled in blue
I wrote them down, didn't send them to you
Words tangled in blue
Who should I call?
Who should I call?
Who should I call now?
Words tangled in blue
Come away boy, nothing calls you
Words tangled in blue
Everyone has left except you
Who should I call?
Who should I call?
Who should I call now, now?
Now, now
Barzin's song "Words Tangled in Blue" is a melancholic exploration of failed communication and heartache. The lyrics describe a situation in which the singer is overwhelmed by the complexity of their emotions and is struggling to express themselves effectively. As they reflect on their feelings, they realize that they are still deeply affected by a past relationship that has left them feeling helpless and unsure of themselves.
The repetition of the phrase "Words tangled in blue" is particularly notable, as it suggests a sense of confusion and chaos that is difficult to unravel. The color blue can be interpreted as a symbol of sadness or melancholy, which fits with the overall mood of the song. The sentiment that "everyone has left except you" compounds the feeling of isolation and desperation that the singer is experiencing.
Ultimately, the song is about the difficulty of letting go and moving on from a painful past. The repeated refrain "Who should I call?" highlights the singer's sense of uncertainty and vulnerability, as they struggle to find a way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Words tangled in blue
The lyrics are a representation of all the complicated thoughts and emotions the singer has related to the person they're singing about.
And I thought about you
The singer is preoccupied with thoughts of the person they're singing about and are struggling to untangle their emotions towards them.
What a mess, all because of you
The singer's life has become complicated and chaotic because of the relationship they've had with the person in question.
I wrote them down, didn't send them to you
The singer has expressed their thoughts and feelings in writing, but ultimately chose not to share them with the person they're singing about.
It's always you, it's always you
The person the singer is singing about has a pervasive presence in their life, even when they're trying to move on from the relationship.
Who should I call?
The singer is in a state of confusion and doesn't know who to turn to or rely on regarding the complicated emotions they're experiencing.
Come away boy, nothing calls you
The singer is telling the object of their affection to leave, because the situation is creating chaos in their life and needs to be resolved.
Everyone has left except you
The singer feels alone in their struggle and everyone else in their life has moved on.
Who should I call now, now?
The singer repeats their call for help and support, feeling lost and unsure of what to do next.
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.