Following the successes of his EPs Slow (2015) and Real (2017), and his debut album Shift (2018), Henry Green has racked up over 71 million streams on Spotify and more than 18 million on Apple Music, and has won the respect of his peers, including former tour-mates London Grammar and Nick Mulvey, and recent remixers Cyril Hahn and Harvey Causon. And yet, their faith is ultimately repaid with Half Light, the upcoming release that finds Green harnessing that initial crisis of confidence to create music that’s both emotionally honest and breaks new ground.
While tonally intimate, many of the arrangements on Half Light are more expansive than anything Green has attempted previously. “I'm always trying to counteract live instruments with something completely synthetic,” Green says of the process. The fluttering percussion and shimmering synth textures of cinematic lead single ‘Realign’ brings to mind the work of Christian Löffler or Bonobo, both of whom remain key influences in terms of production, alongside long-time vocal reference points RY X and Mike Milosh of Rhye. For ‘Tide’, Green secured a guest turn from another one of his singing heroes, Bonobo and Flying Lotus-collaborator Andreya Triana, while ‘Idle’ features Canadian artist Ghostly Kisses, his label mate at Akira. Alongside strings and a saxophone player, these were the only outside contributors, bar mixing engineer Tristan Hoogland.
Half Light is set for release in June 2020 via Akira Records, with UK, Germany, Amsterdam and France tour dates to follow in September.
Slow
Henry Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm spending the night when free
I'm holding my worse, so we can be
Strong as the lights that we see
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push you away from, push you away from it all
We can move so, we can move so slow
Breathing the salt from the sea...
Can you see the smoke wash it clean?
Feeling I have in my dreams
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push you away from, push you away from it all
We can move so, we can move so slow
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push you away from, push you away from it all
We can move so, we can move so slow
In Henry Green's song Slow, the lyrics speak of a desire for warmth and comfort, as well as a need to escape and find solace, even if only for a night. The singer seems to be asking for permission to lean on someone else for support, to hold their worst emotions and burdens together so that they can be strong together. The use of the imagery of lights, smoke, and the sea all contribute to a feeling of escape, as if the singer is searching for something beyond their current reality. The repetition of the phrase "we can move so slow" underscores the desire to slow down and take things at a manageable pace, pushing away all that is overwhelming and focusing on the present moment with the listener.
The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, is particularly poignant in its simplicity: "Push you away from it all, we can move so slow". This speaks to the idea of finding comfort in someone else's presence, but also allowing space and distance when needed. There is a sense of mutual understanding and respect for each other's boundaries, even as they seek comfort and solace together.
Overall, the song Slow is a beautiful representation of the human need for connection and warmth, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. The lyrics are introspective and vulnerable, yet also hopeful and reassuring, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I gave you the warmth I need?
Asking if the other person can provide the emotional comfort he needs.
I'm spending the night when free
Staying up at night when he has no obligations or distractions.
I'm holding my worse, so we can be
Suppressing his inner struggles to maintain a positive relationship with the other person.
Strong as the lights that we see
The strength of their relationship is marked by the bright lights they observe around them.
We can move so, we can move so slow
They can take things easy and slow in their relationship.
Push you away from, push you away from it all
Being willing to protect the other person from anything that could harm them.
Can I bath in the light when you leave?
Wishing to experience the good things even when the other person isn't around.
Breathing the salt from the sea...
Taking in the fresh ocean air to rejuvenate himself.
Can you see the smoke wash it clean?
Wondering if the other person can see how he is trying to make positive changes in his life.
Feeling I have in my dreams
The positive emotions he experiences when thinking of the other person.
We can move so, we can move so slow
Being comfortable in taking things slow in their relationship.
Push you away from, push you away from it all
Being willing to shield the other person from any negative influences.
We can move so, we can move so slow
Expressing a desire to keep their relationship at a comfortable pace.
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vasweeb
[Verse 1]
Can I give you the warmth I need?
I'm spending the nights running free
And holding my words so we can be
Strong as the lights that we see
[Chorus]
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push away from, push away from me, oh
We can move so, we can move so slow
[Verse 2]
Can I bathe in the light when you leave?
Breathing the salt from the sea
Can you see the smoke wash it clean?
Feeling I have in my dreams
[Chorus]
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push away from, push away from me, oh
We can move so, we can move so slow
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push away from, push away from me, oh
We can move so, we can move so slow
@ethanmascarenas107
Please never stop making music, Henry Green.
@JohnsonKayla12
Can't even explain the emotion this song gives... Every song is like another journey through a different part of the Galaxy.
@tereyahjohnson5677
You're so gay..
@xxojustmeoxx4987
+KeiyaValecourt Lol
@soulless_computer_boy6180
@Keiya Valecourt I think the song gives out a lost in time melancholy vibe.
@daEVERTON82
KeiyaValecourt ... you just get it!!! your one of the few; do you know what I mean?
Namaste
@godrocko9684
Sing on my song
@KINGOFDARKNESS48
This song is really magical, it takes me on a trip of unique feelings
@maccarnold
Very nice song. I discovered in a Spotify list a couple of months ago and it has been one of my favourites. I put it on my wedding.
@vasweeb
[Verse 1]
Can I give you the warmth I need?
I'm spending the nights running free
And holding my words so we can be
Strong as the lights that we see
[Chorus]
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push away from, push away from me, oh
We can move so, we can move so slow
[Verse 2]
Can I bathe in the light when you leave?
Breathing the salt from the sea
Can you see the smoke wash it clean?
Feeling I have in my dreams
[Chorus]
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push away from, push away from me, oh
We can move so, we can move so slow
We can move so, we can move so slow
Push away from, push away from me, oh
We can move so, we can move so slow