1) breakbeat, alias of Illian … Read Full Bio ↴Ils is the name of more than one artists:
1) breakbeat, alias of Illian Walker
2) noise rock band
1) Illian Walker was born and raised in London. From the age of 14 he played guitar in funk groups. Not wanting to be tied down by band members, he invested in a sampler and began taking matters into his own hands. A chance meeting in a pub with some Scottish sound engineers led to with sampling and MIDI techniques, and at the age of 19 he secured a grant to set up his own studio.
This studio – based in Lime Grove, Shepherd’s Bush – was visited by LTJ Bukem and some drum and bass DJs, who would use the facilities to put their own tunes together. The Bukem connection led to four singles being released on Good Lookin’ Records in conjunction with some of these artists.
Ils was invited to work for Mo’Wax as an engineer, and he worked with for instance James Lavelle, Derek Dahlarge and Tipper. Following the demise of the Mo’Wax label Tipper suggested that Ils put some of his ideas into an album for breaks label Fuel – the result, 'Idiots Behind the Wheel', was called a nu-skool breaks album. With tracks pulled out for compilations and mixes like Adam Freeland’s 'Coastal Breaks 2 album, Ils’ success grew. 'Idiots Behind the Wheel blended cinematic funk, beats and string and jazz elements.
The next few years saw Ils paired up with Marine Parade for the release of his second album 'Soul Trader' – the single, '6 Space/Next Level', was chosen to soundtrack an Orange ad. (The b-side of this single, Music, was remixed and released by the Brighton imprint. More advertising work, continued support from Freeland in DJ sets and mix albums, and extensive touring around Europe and the US followed.
'Bohemia' , Ils third studio album is out on Distinctive Records. It has a much harder and more lush dance floor edge. Strings and sub-bass combine with vocals from Bulgarian singers Desi and Roni, and with production support from Wizard and long time breaks collaborator Donna Dee. Further vocals come courtesy of Wonda and Rhalia.
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2) Disaster chic rock from Portland, Oregon, band members: Tom Glose (Black Elk, Knight Badger, Cougar), Tim Steiner (Microtia, These Things, Fortune Club), Nathan Abner (The Days The Nights), Adam Pike (White Orange, The Mediam, Red Fang)
Razorblade
Ils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I bet you'd pick it up and mess around with it
If I put it down, it gets extremely complicated
Anything to forget everything
You've got to take me out at least once a week
Whether I'm in your arms or I'm at your feet
I know exactly what you're thinking
Oh no, my feelings are more important than yours
Oh, drop dead, I don't care, I won't worry, let it go
Oh, the razorblade, wish it would snap this rope
The world is in your hands or it's at your throat
At times it's not that complicated
Anything to forget everything
He would never talk but he was not shy
She was a street smart girl but she could not lie
They were perfect for each other, say it now
'Cause in your heart it's loud
Oh no, my feelings are more important than yours
Oh, drop dead, I don't care, I won't worry, hey
Sweetheart, your feelings are more important of course, of course
Everyone that wanted everything that we would take from them
I don't wanna know, I don't wanna know, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me
No, don't, okay
The song "Razorblade" by Ils features raw and emotional lyrics that delve into the complicated nature of love and relationships. The opening line, "Oh, razorblade, that's what I call love," sets the emotional tone for the song, expressing how love can often be painful and difficult to handle. The singer suggests that their love is like a razorblade, with the potential to cut deeply and cause harm.
The lyrics also touch on power dynamics within relationships, with the singer demanding attention and affection from their partner. They insist that their feelings are more important than their partner's, and proclaim that they won't worry or care if their partner doesn't reciprocate their feelings. This type of ultimatum highlights the often-unhealthy power dynamics that can emerge within romantic relationships.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics hint at the complexity and nuance of love, with the singer acknowledging that sometimes it's not that complicated and that people will do anything to forget everything. Ultimately, the song offers a raw and honest portrayal of love's complexities and the emotional turmoil that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, razorblade, that's what I call love
The singer compares love to a razorblade, suggesting that it is sharp and potentially harmful.
I bet you'd pick it up and mess around with it
The singer believes that the other person is likely to toy with love, perhaps not taking it seriously.
If I put it down, it gets extremely complicated
The singer feels that if they were to back away from love, things would get difficult.
Anything to forget everything
The artist is willing to do just about anything to forget the problems associated with love.
You've got to take me out at least once a week
The artist wants to spend time with the other person on a regular basis.
Whether I'm in your arms or I'm at your feet
The singer is willing to be close to the other person in any way possible.
I know exactly what you're thinking
The singer claims to know the other person's thoughts.
You won't say it now but in your heart it's loud
The other person is thinking something loudly, but not expressing their thoughts aloud.
Oh no, my feelings are more important than yours
The artist prioritizes their own emotions over the other person's.
Oh, drop dead, I don't care, I won't worry, let it go
The artist wants to let go of their worries and stop caring about what the other person thinks.
Oh, the razorblade, wish it would snap this rope
The singer wishes that love would cut the ties between them.
The world is in your hands or it's at your throat
The artist feels that the other person has a lot of control over the situation.
At times it's not that complicated
Sometimes the situation is relatively simple and straightforward.
Anything to forget everything
Once again, the singer is willing to do almost anything to forget about their problems.
He would never talk but he was not shy
The male character is silent but not necessarily introverted.
She was a street smart girl but she could not lie
The female character is savvy but honest.
They were perfect for each other, say it now
The artist believes that the couple belongs together.
'Cause in your heart it's loud
The other person is likely thinking similarly to the singer.
Sweetheart, your feelings are more important of course, of course
The singer changes their tune, acknowledging the importance of the other person's emotions.
Everyone that wanted everything that we would take from them
The couple's relationship is perceived as taking something away from others.
I don't wanna know, I don't wanna know, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me
The artist is conflicted about whether or not they want to know the truth.
No, don't, okay
The artist ultimately decides that they do not want to know the truth.
Writer(s): I. Walker
Contributed by Oliver A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dick Damage
Severely underrated track. Can imagine this becoming a sleeper hit one day, go viral, it deserves it.
Mr. Green
She does indeed. She really does wonders for this song.
Sam Myrick
What a Dj,
So underground 💯
You don’t no beats if you don’t know ills🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🏽
Pleiadian Star 🌟
Starting to really like ils.
Underrated much
Mr. Mixx
Taken from an almost perfect (for me) album.