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.
i'm sorry about yesterday
Fox Academy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i was there for a half of an hour
there was snow on the ground
and the trees looked white
i can never feel my hands anymore
all along the courtyard
writing letters on the graves
on the top of the top of the tower
i was there for a half of an hour
there was snow in your hair
and you eyes looked wide
i can never by suprised anymore
watching people falling down
oh it's nice here underground
tell me what u think about me
i wonder what u think about me
The opening lines of Fox Academy's song i'm sorry about yesterday present a melancholic scene of someone who has fallen asleep at the top of a tower. The use of snow to describe the surroundings creates a sense of coldness and numbness felt by the person in question. This feeling is further emphasized by the line "I can never feel my hands anymore." This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is reflective and introspective. The singer seems to be lost in thought and disconnected from the world around him/her.
In the second verse, the scene shifts to a courtyard where the singer is seen writing letters on graves. This adds to the bleakness of the song, as it presents an image of someone who is consumed by grief and loss. The repetition of the phrase "on the top of the top of the tower" shows that the singer is fixated on this location, as if it holds some kind of significance or meaning for him/her. The snow in the person's hair and the wide eyes suggest that they are also experiencing something intense or emotional, perhaps a sense of revelation or realization.
As the song progresses, the singer muses on their own self-worth, wondering what others think of them. This shows that despite the inward focus of the song, the singer is also concerned with how they are perceived by others. The reference to people falling down and the line "oh it's nice here underground" is somewhat ambiguous, but it may suggest a desire to escape the pressures and expectations of the outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
fell asleep at the top of the tower
I was so exhausted, I fell asleep at the top of the tower.
i was there for a half of an hour
I didn't intend to stay up there for long, I just needed a short break.
there was snow on the ground
It was a cold day and there was snow all around me.
and the trees looked white
The snow on the trees was so thick, they looked white.
i can never feel my hands anymore
My hands get numb so easily these days, it's like they've lost all sensation.
all along the courtyard
As I walked around, I saw rows and rows of graves stretching along the courtyard.
writing letters on the graves
I stopped to write letters to those who had passed away, expressing my love and gratitude.
on the top of the top of the tower
I climbed even higher, to the very top, hoping to gain a new perspective on life.
there was snow in your hair
When I saw you at the top, you had snowflakes in your hair.
and you eyes looked wide
Your eyes were so open and expressive, it was like you could see right through me.
i can never by suprised anymore
I've seen so much in my life that very little surprises me these days.
watching people falling down
I've observed so many people struggle and fall in life, it's hard not to feel helpless sometimes.
oh it's nice here underground
Being underground, away from all the chaos and struggle, seems almost peaceful and calming.
tell me what u think about me
I wonder what others think of me, whether they see me the way I see myself.
i wonder what u think about me
It's natural to wonder how others perceive us, and if we're living up to their expectations of us.
Contributed by Declan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.