Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Islands is a 6 piece band founded in 2005 by The Unicorns co-founder/songwriter Nick Thorburn (often performing as "Nick Diamonds") and drummer J'Aime Tambeur. Following the untimely disbandment of The Unicorns as they teetered on the brink of breaking through, Islands' debut release entitled Return to the Sea, with its quirky sounds and refreshing, catchy melodies includes collaborations with members of Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade. This debut picks up where The Unicorns left off and takes the music to new heights without departing from The Unicorns' unique if sometimes peculiar appeal.
Islands plays beautiful pop melodies, intertwined with elements of afro-pop, hip hop, and indie rock, among others. One of the main gimmicks of the band is the recorder brought over from The Unicorns, which is prominently featured in the song "Jogging Gorgeous Summer." Nick Diamonds rules over the band with an iron fist. Other members include: Patrice Agbokou, Aaron Harris, Alex Chow, Sebastian Chow, and Patrick Gregoire. Return To the Sea, their rookie effort, was released on April 4th, 2006 on the brand new label, Equator Records, and Rough Trade in the UK. Digital Distribution handled by Alpha Pup.
On May 20, 2008, Islands released its second album, Arm's Way, on Anti- Records.
On September 22, 2009 Islands released their third full length album, Vapours.
On February 14, 2012 Islands released their fourth full length album, A Sleep & A Forgetting.
On September 17, 2013 Islands released their fifth full length album, Ski Mask
On May 13, 2016 Islands released their sixth and seventh full length albums, Should I Remain Here, At Sea? and Taste.
Nil
Islands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been drinking too much
Been thinking I'm not thinking clearly enough
Are there two of me?
It feels like there are two of me
One is my enemy and
One's sent to deliver me
When I'm drowning
I like drowning alone
Don't need no one to tell me
To pull up the rope
I can't have only one
No I can't just have only one
It's all or none none
Now you know that it's true
So you,
Leave nil for me
I'll do different things
But I like them all
Blue is beautiful
Curl up in a ball
And don't feel anything
I Don't want to feel anything
It's more than a feeling
And it's more than the real thing
Are you impressed
With how depressed I've become
Better get your angels to go bang on a drum
But they don't recognize me
They Don't seem to recognize
I was baptized but they pay it no mind
So you,
Leave nil for me
Leave nil for me
Please,
Keep it away from me
Keep it away from me
The lyrics to Islands' song "Nil" delve deep into the feelings of a person who feels like they are struggling with their identity and their emotions. The verses highlight the singer's detachment from the world around them as they have been "drifting" and "drinking too much." They question whether there are two sides to themselves, one being their enemy and the other there to save them. The chorus emphasizes their desire to be left alone, even when they are drowning or feeling numb, as they prefer to have their own company.
The following verse suggests that the singer has tried different things but still hasn't found something that truly satisfies them. They prefer to remain in a state of detachment, where they don't have to confront or feel anything. The singer is aware of their situation, and even though people may try to offer help, they don't recognize or understand what they are going through. Overall, the song conveys a sense of loneliness and hopelessness, with a plea to be left alone and given space.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been drifting
I have been aimlessly floating through life
I've been drinking too much
I have been consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
Been thinking I'm not thinking clearly enough
I have been contemplating my inability to think logically
Are there two of me?
I feel like there are two different sides to my personality
It feels like there are two of me
My personality seems to have two conflicting aspects
One is my enemy and
One aspect of my personality is in opposition to the other
One's sent to deliver me
One aspect of my personality is meant to help guide me
When I'm drowning
When I am overwhelmed
I like drowning alone
I prefer to deal with my struggles by myself
Don't need no one to tell me
I do not require anyone's assistance in this regard
To pull up the rope
To help me get out of my predicament
I can't have only one
I cannot just have one of something
No I can't just have only one
One is not enough for me
It's all or none none
I either want everything or nothing at all
Now you know that it's true
This is an undeniable fact
So you,
Therefore, you
Leave nil for me
Do not leave anything for me
I'll do different things
I am interested in experiencing a range of activities
But I like them all
I enjoy all of these activities equally
Blue is beautiful
I find the color blue to be attractive
Curl up in a ball
To physically adopt a fetal position
And don't feel anything
I do not want to experience any emotions
I Don't want to feel anything
I am averse to experiencing any emotions
It's more than a feeling
This is more than just an emotional state
And it's more than the real thing
This is something that transcends reality
Are you impressed
Are you surprised
With how depressed I've become
By the extent to which my mental health has deteriorated
Better get your angels to go bang on a drum
Perhaps you should ask for divine intervention
But they don't recognize me
Divine beings do not acknowledge my existence
They Don't seem to recognize
There is no indication that they are aware of me
I was baptized but they pay it no mind
Even though I have been baptized, they do not seem to care
Please,
I implore you
Keep it away from me
Do not allow me to be exposed to this
Keep it away from me
I do not want to encounter this
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Josh K
best on the album
Vaynor
This song is fantastic.
Josh Schroll
And don't feel anything
I don't want to feel anything
It's more than feeling
And it's more than the real thing
coty colhoff
Bonezone brought me here, love it
Julian Hoak
The thumbnail creeps me out 😂