2012 saw the release of Locke's debut EP, Skins, which was released via Lesstalk Records in January of that year. This year also saw Locke touring internationally for the first time, playing a string of shows in South East Asia; as well as the year she relocated to her current residence of Melbourne. A collection of demos, her first new material since moving, was released under the name "2013" in January 2013. In 2014, Locke released a collection entitled "Z Sides" of previously-unrecorded songs; which was also distributed independently via a run of 100 handmade CDs. A lo-fi live recording, entitled "Live at the Old Bar," was also released as a free download via Locke's Bandcamp page.
In September 2014, Locke announced a crowdfunding campaign to get her debut studio album, Words That Seem to Slip Away, released on vinyl. The project was successfully funded; and the album was released via Art as Catharsis/Lesstalk in March 2015. The album's lead single, "Change the Sheets," was accompanied by Locke's first-ever solo music video, which was filmed in Sydney.
In 2016, Locke released a new single, "Paper Planes." The single was later revealed to be the first song lifted from Locke's second studio album, Universe. Prior to its release on Pool House Records, two further singles were released in mid-2017: "Better/Bitter" and the album's title track. 2017 also saw Locke join The Smith Street Band as an auxiliary live member; providing guitars and backing vocals. She had previously appeared on the band's 2017 album, More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me, as a guest vocalist.
UNIVERSE
Jess Locke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I rub myself against the universe.
But like my lover's skin,
There's no way in.
Sometimes, the words seem so hard to find,
I smash my mind against the pages,
And like my lover's skin,
What ways will break these walls?
What ways will break these walls?
The heat,
The sound,
They tell me we are in elation.
Sometimes, I don't know what it is that I desire,
Is it to have you or to be you?
To be more myself,
Or more of something else?
To feed and swell?
Split like a cell?
I'll break your skin and put my heart into your chest.
I'll break my arm and fall in love with all this mess.
I'll break your skin and put my hands around your bones.
I'll break my own.
I'll break my own.
The heat,
The sound,
They tell me we are in elation.
The heat,
The sound,
We meet,
Then we step away here.
What ways will break these walls?
What ways will break these walls?
What ways will break these walls?
What ways will break these walls?
In "Universe" by Jess Locke, the singer expresses a desire to connect deeply with the world and with another person, but constantly experiences barriers preventing her from doing so. In the first verse, Locke compares her attempt to connect with the universe to the feeling of trying to connect with a lover whose skin is impenetrable. This imagery emphasizes the sense of physical separation from the world and from others that Locke feels. In the second verse, she describes the frustration of feeling like she cannot express herself in a meaningful way, and compares this to hitting her head against a page. Again, she draws a comparison to a lover whose skin is inaccessible - this time to suggest that the difficulty of putting feelings into words is similar to the difficulty of penetrating another person's emotional barriers.
The chorus asks, "What ways will break these walls?" Locke seems to be searching for a solution to her feelings of disconnection and isolation. However, the bridge provides a moment of release from those feelings, as Locke describes the sensations of heat and sound that accompany moments of joy and connection. These sensations suggest a kind of physical exhilaration that might occur when someone is "in the moment," fully present and engaged with the world around them. Despite this momentary release, though, the song returns to its central question - how can we overcome the barriers that keep us from true connection?
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes, the world seems so far away,
At times, it feels like the world is out of reach,
I rub myself against the universe.
I try to connect with the vastness of everything around me.
But like my lover's skin,
Despite my efforts, there are still barriers that prevent me from truly experiencing it.
There's no way in.
I can't penetrate these walls and reach the essence of the universe or my lover.
Sometimes, the words seem so hard to find,
There are moments when I struggle to express myself.
I smash my mind against the pages,
I try to force the words out, to put my thoughts into writing.
And like my lover's skin,
But just like with my lover, there are still obstacles that hinder me from achieving what I want.
There's no way in.
I can't seem to find a way to fully convey what's inside me to the outside world.
What ways will break these walls?
What methods can I use to overcome these obstacles?
The heat, The sound, They tell me we are in elation.
The intensity of the moment, the warmth and the noise, all indicate that there's a strong emotional immersion.
Sometimes, I don't know what it is that I desire,
Occasionally, I'm confused about what I really want.
Is it to have you or to be you?
Is it to possess you or to become like you?
To be more myself, Or more of something else?
Do I want to be true to who I am or to conform to other people's expectations?
To feed and swell? Split like a cell?
Do I want to grow and evolve or to divide into different versions of myself?
I'll break your skin and put my heart into your chest.
I'll do whatever it takes to be connected to you, even if it means breaking down your defenses.
I'll break my arm and fall in love with all this mess.
I'll go to great lengths to embrace the chaos and confusion that love can bring.
I'll break your skin and put my hands around your bones.
I'll try to comprehend the core of your being, the essence that makes you who you are.
I'll break my own. I'll break my own.
In my search for connection, I may have to confront or change parts of myself as well, even if it's painful.
We meet, Then we step away here.
Sometimes, we connect with others but then have to part ways soon after.
What ways will break these walls?
What methods can I use to overcome these obstacles?
What ways will break these walls?
What methods can I use to overcome these obstacles?
What ways will break these walls?
What methods can I use to overcome these obstacles?
What ways will break these walls?
What methods can I use to overcome these obstacles?
Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aaronreynolds5365
how the hell does this have a 50/50 like ratio , certainly deserves to be way more positive.
@FalloutKlingon
Love this so much, such a chill vibe. Definitely gonna be listening to this over and over again.
@OctozoidPRS
Have been trying to find this song for some time since hearing it on 4ZZZ radio a few months ago. It has shades of "Lay lady lay" by Dylan. The intonation of her voice and pared back production make it beautiful.
@haysfordays
Good call on the Dylan. It's the same chord progression but just twice as quick.
@iratxearroyo5960
More similar to Bryan Adams lay lady lay version
@agnesdmadness4487
I love this song. I ramdom found it in Spotify! It's so great!
@elizadarvill2901
"is it to have you or to be you", lyrics have never been so meaningful. the way this song makes me feel feral at the same time full of love?? incredible!!
@Abuamina001
Excellent song.
@Pillysrule
Not sure about the dislikes but I’m a big fan! Keep up the awesome work!
@crookedwiretap89
Ah so devastated i missed her Brisbane ...Best lyrist this year i believe