Blue Hawaii, Arbutus Records and many of their Montreal counter-parts all began with the same breath in early 2010. Their debut album Blooming Summer (2010) was recorded following the pair’s travels in Central America. It frames a time of warmth and novelty, featuring dense female harmonies, tape saturated synths, guitars and drum machines. Eventually Ra (Raphaelle Standell-Preston) returned to her role in Braids, touring constantly, while Agor (Alexander Cowan) moved to Europe, treading deeper into dance music, electronics, and production.
The two decided to make Untogether in 2012; they began recording on New Years Day in Vancouver and intermittently worked on the project until summer broke in Montreal. The music followed their winter in Canada, it became colder, more introspective. It again captured a time and place, but instead of a dense saturation of love and excitement, this record reflects the vast world of self-awareness and delicacy. It takes for its subject the question of belonging, despite overwhelming space.
Musically, the production on the album is more spacious and physically it was recorded in separation. Despite this, it belongs together in its final form. It demonstrates successful creative process in a pair who composed apart, and in doing so it is a meditation on communication: how technology and art influence modern human relationships. It contains the vast space of two years passing, including watching their Montreal scene change as some launched into international success and others turned deeper inwards. Here, the album finds the conflict of separation/belonging to one’s self and community.
The duo notice that throughout the changing social and personal landscape which is one’s twenties, these divided notions and people somehow stay together. Even the name Blue Hawaii suggests a kind of melancholic, jaded paradise, but a paradise after all. It is because – or perhaps in spite of – these disjointed intersections that the record is called Untogether.
Castle of Clouds
Blue Hawaii Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We found each other in a castle of clouds
Leaving behind
Past times for lovers for friends
We begin
Every day has its night fall
But when I saw you that didn′t matter at all
First fears for this heart here
Breathing
Where we met
It was a castle of clouds
Where we met
It was light
I am leaving these fears here
The lyrics of Blue Hawaii's song Castle of Clouds describe the moment when the two lovers met each other for the first time. The first line, "Where we met it was light" suggests that the place where they first met was overcome with positivity and happiness. The next line, "We found each other in a castle of clouds," may signify that their meeting felt like a dream, almost unattainable, like finding a castle in the clouds.
The lyrics suggest that the lovers have decided to leave behind their past experiences, both in romantic and platonic relationships, and embark on a new journey together. The line "Leaving behind past times for lovers for friends, we begin" implies that they want to start fresh and build a new foundation for their relationship, where they can be both lovers and friends.
The second verse reinforces this idea of a new beginning, indicating that despite the ups and downs that come with life, "every day has its night fall," finding each other made it all worth it. They have conquered their fears and decided to live, breathe, and love each other freely as they move forward with their newfound love.
Overall, the lyrics of Blue Hawaii's "Castle of Clouds" celebrate the moment of finding love and the courage to leave behind the past and embark on a new journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Where we met it was light
We first saw each other in a bright and cheerful place
We found each other in a castle of clouds
We discovered each other in a place that was dream-like and surreal, like a castle made of clouds
Leaving behind Past times for lovers for friends
We decided to move forward and leave our romantic past behind, choosing to build a friendship instead
We begin
Starting fresh, we embark on a new journey together
Every day has its nightfall
Life has ups and downs, and even though there will be difficulties, we are prepared to face them
But when I saw you that didn't matter at all
Despite any hardships, being with you makes everything worthwhile
Leaving behind First fears for this heart here
I'm putting aside my initial anxieties and fears to fully open my heart to you
Breathing
Taking a moment to pause and appreciate the present moment with you
Where we met, It was a castle of clouds
Again emphasizing the surreal and magical place where we first encountered each other
Where we met, It was light
Illuminating the joyful and happy beginning of our relationship
I am leaving these fears here
Confirming that I am committed to moving forward with you and leaving any fears or doubts behind
Writer(s): Raphaelle Standell Preston, Alexander W. Cowan
Contributed by Kylie H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.