Bonobo's first album - 2000's Animal Magic - was released via Tru Thoughts before being picked up by Ninja Tune. It announced him as a serious talent; able to bring a musician's edge to electronic music, with all the freedom that skill allowed. His subsequent albums for Ninja, Dial 'M' for Monkey and Days to Come, developed his sensibility, won him fans across the globe, and saw him develop his live show into a mesmeric re-working of his records.
He has also worked hard as a DJ, a part of Green's arsenal that perhaps truly came into its own at the same time as 2010’s Black Sands. 2012 saw him take the uptempo, club re-edits of Black Sands from a seminal Boiler Room performance in London to dance floors across the world, and unveil a new light show that further enhanced the impact of these stunning songs. A remix album was released featuring reworkings by fans and peers such as Machinedrum, Floating Points, Mark Pritchard, Lapalux and FaltyDL.
Later the same year, he finally settled down in his New York studio to write his fifth album. The North Borders was another long stride forward - both a natural evolution and a continuation of the electronic palette of Black Sands. With vocal features from Erykah Badu, as well as Grey Reverend (The Cinematic Orchestra) and Cornelia (Portico Quartet) it's another finely balanced body of work.
Bonobo has a long history of unearthing new talent (Andreya Triana, Bajka) and The North Borders saw him do so once again. The vocals of new collaborator Szjerdene are sprinkled across the album.
Since the album’s release, Green has gone on to play over 175 shows across three continents and 30 countries, wowing audiences with the hypnotic, extended live versions of his songs. He performed sold out shows at The Sydney Opera House and Brixton Academy, and his very own, day long festival at London’s Roundhouse. 2014 saw him and his band play the iconic Coachella, Sonar, Glastonbury and many more. This period of extensive touring came to a breathtaking close with his largest show to date at London’s Alexandra Palace in November. In celebration, Ninja Tune released The North Borders Tour. — Live. in October. A deluxe release including a live album, hardback book and a DVD of seminal live performances from a truly memorable tour.
In January 2016, Bonobo announced on Twitter that he intended to release a new album sometime in 2016. Bonobo released his sixth album, Migration, on 13 January 2017 via Ninja Tune. It was announced on 3 November 2016 with the release of the single "Kerala", and an official video. The album features Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker), Rhye, Innov Gnawa and Nicole Miglis (Hundred Waters).
Towers
Bonobo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You come to me docile
Tried to make sense of this
By the time that I expressed
That I had felt helpless
You had turned away from me
Erasing towers
I'm walking over
I'm in this, burning
A kindness, searching
I'm walking over
I'm in this silence
Erasing towers
I'm walking over
You were gone days and nights
Empty spaces no light
Tried to find peace in this
Looking at those times
So obvious you lied
Saw you hide away from me
I'm in this silence
You're raising towers
I'm walking over
I'm in this, burning
For kindness searching
I'm walking over
I'm in this silence
You're raising towers
I'm walking over
The lyrics of Bonobo/Szjerdene's "Towers" is a melancholic tale of a relationship that had gone wrong. The first verse depicts the singer reaching out to their partner, who had been previously distant, in an attempt to reconcile and make sense of their situation. However, the partner seems to have already given up, turning away from the singer despite their efforts.
As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the relationship has already deteriorated to the point of no return. The singer is left alone, walking over the metaphorical towers that their partner had built between them. The chorus "I'm in this silence, erasing towers, I'm walking over" suggests an attempt to move on from the past and start anew, but the singer is still plagued by the memories and the pain of the failed relationship. The second verse describes the emptiness and darkness that the singer feels after their partner had left, and the realization that the partner had been dishonest with them all along.
Overall, "Towers" is a poignant and introspective portrayal of heartbreak and moving on. The use of metaphors such as "towers" and "silence" adds depth and complexity to the lyrics, and the haunting melody of the song perfectly captures the bittersweet emotions of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
You were here for a while
You spent some time with me, near me.
You come to me docile
You came to me in a calm and submissive manner.
Tried to make sense of this
You attempted to comprehend the situation we were in.
By the time that I expressed
When I had finally confided in you.
That I had felt helpless
That I was in a state of being unable to aid myself.
You had turned away from me
You chose to ignore me and my feelings.
I'm in this silence
I am present in a state of quietness.
Erasing towers
Removing obstacles and challenges that were hindering my progress.
I'm walking over
Moving on and overcoming the difficulties I encountered.
I'm in this, burning
I am consumed by an intense feeling or desire.
A kindness, searching
Looking for compassion and understanding from others.
You were gone days and nights
You were absent from my life for long periods of time.
Empty spaces no light
Spaces that were devoid of happiness, joy, or positivity.
Tried to find peace in this
Attempted to achieve calmness and tranquility in the absence of the person.
Looking at those times
Reflecting on the time spent together
So obvious you lied
It is evident that you were dishonest with me.
Saw you hide away from me
Observed you retreating and avoiding me intentionally.
You're raising towers
You are creating obstacles and challenges that hinder my progress.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALEX COWAN, SZJERDENE MULCARE, SIMON GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ederperez4480
Lyrics:
You were here for a while
You come to me docile
Tried to make sense of this
By the time that I expressed
That I had felt helpless
You had turned away from me
I'm in this silence
Erasing towers
I'm walking over
I'm in this, burning
A kindness, searching
I'm walking over
I'm in this silence
Erasing towers
I'm walking over
You were gone days and nights
Empty spaces no light
Tried to find peace in this
Looking at those times
So obvious you lied
Saw you hide away from me
I'm in this silence
You're raising towers
I'm walking over
I'm in this, burning
For kindness searching
I'm walking over
I'm in this silence
You're raising towers
I'm walking over
@siyambonani8802
Underrated I tell you
@ArmageddonMusiq
this could be the most beautiful song i've ever heard, its perfect in everyway.
@daid1262
Possibly one of the best tracks. My vinyl collection is filled with Bonobo records, but this one smashes almost all downtempo (e.g. Portishead, Massive, Thievery Corp .... etc). This blows tracks like Tear Drop out of the water, and it gives Lebanese Blonde a run for its money! So great...
@siyambonani8802
You know your stuff
@dadada396
One of my favorites from this album! Was doing some flow art to this last night 💜
@nasiyodo2978
An album you'll want to listen to in the middle of winter.
@vicm9814
My favorite song from bonobo.
@retha1773
I cried the first time I heard this song 😢😢😢😪😪😪😪💖💖💖💖💖
@rawbiscuits101
Vivid memories of this live.
@Shea354
This and Heaven for the Sinner...addicted. And I thought Black Sands was dope. Omg, this album is incredible