Michael Todd Berland and Christian Novelli have been releasing music together as Fox Academy since 2012. Their sound is characterized by drowsy and adventurous indie rock, appealing to fans of American Pleasure Club, Alex G, Strange Ranger and Oso Oso. Their approach to bedroom pop carries a distinct woodsy quality, often interweaving pop culture references and subtle humor amidst the prevailing melancholic vibes. Notably, their album Angel Hair, released in July 2019, features tracks titled "NASCAR" and "Property Brothers," with an opening line that humorously states, "I got metal in my headphones, metal in my face, I put metal in the microwave."
The duo released their first full album, "Luxury Beverage," in January 2015, followed by their second album, "Saint Molly," in April 2017. In 2020, Fox Academy presented their full-length documentary film titled "Late Nite Saints." The movie captures their exploration of the Pacific Northwest, seeking beauty and miracles in unexpected places. With a hypnotic ambient quality reminiscent of their music, this film provides a glimpse into the duo's lives.
In September 2020, Fox Academy released their fourth album "rabbit." The collection comprises hazy guitar tracks brimming with emotion and musical ingenuity. While an underlying emo sentiment is present, expressed through lyrics like "Nothing hurts like growing up" and "I hope that I see you tomorrow" in the final songs, the overall aesthetic leans toward a homemade, lo-fi slowcore sound. While guest appearances, including Jordana on the mellow electronic slow jam "Luck," are sprinkled throughout the album, "rabbit" primarily provides a window into the shared mindset of two friends who have embraced the subdued spirit of the times while upholding a longstanding DIY tradition.
and also i'm really scared
Fox Academy Lyrics
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All alone
Stealing ancient artifacts
Burning homes
I don′t really understand
Why anyone forgives us
I don't wanna hold your hand
I just wanna give up
On the floor
Crashing in your fathers car
Like we did before
I don′t really understand
If anyone would miss us
I don't wanna hold your hand
If you're just gonna give up
Chocolate cake and lava lamps
I′m not even alive yet
I just wanna hold your hand
While everybodys′s dying
And you're not even trying
You′re not even trying
The lyrics of Fox Academy's song tell a story of two people who meet at a summer camp and engage in destructive behavior, including stealing artifacts and burning homes. The singer questions why anyone would forgive them, and expresses a desire to give up rather than hold hands with the other person. The lyrics also include references to swallowing stairs and crashing a car, and the singer wonders if anyone would miss them.
The song captures a sense of fear and desperation, with the singer feeling lost and disconnected from the world. The line "I'm not even alive yet" suggests a feeling of being unformed or incomplete, while the mention of chocolate cake and lava lamps creates a sense of nostalgia or longing for a simpler time.
Overall, the lyrics of the song paint a picture of two young people struggling to find their place in the world, engaging in reckless behavior in an attempt to feel something. The fear and uncertainty of youth is palpable in the lyrics, as well as a sense of longing for connection and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I met you at the summer camp
I first encountered you during a summer retreat
All alone
You were by yourself when I met you
Stealing ancient artifacts
Together, we stole historical treasures
Burning homes
We also set residential buildings on fire
I don't really understand
I can't fully comprehend...
Why anyone forgives us
...why people are willing to pardon us for our actions
I don't wanna hold your hand
I'm not interested in physical affection
I just wanna give up
I feel like surrendering and giving in to despair
Swallowing the stairs again
I'm experiencing a feeling of falling or being consumed by anxiety
On the floor
I'm collapsed on the ground
Crashing in your fathers car
We crashed a vehicle belonging to your dad in the past
Like we did before
We've repeated past mistakes
If anyone would miss us
I wonder if anyone would care about our absence
If you're just gonna give up
I don't want to be around someone who is going to give up easily
Chocolate cake and lava lamps
These are insignificant things that don't matter much
I'm not even alive yet
I haven't fully come into existence
I just wanna hold your hand
I desire physical touch from you
While everybodys's dying
Even as those around us are perishing...
And you're not even trying
...you're not making any effort to resist the inevitable
You're not even trying
You're not making an effort to resist the inevitable
Writer(s): Christian Ronald Novelli, Michael Todd Berland
Contributed by Audrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.