The first release, the Heart Ache EP, was released in 2004 and featured Broadrick playing all of the instruments. It was followed in 2005 by the full-length self-titled LP, which featured the addition of bassist Diarmuid Dalton and drummer Ted Parsons, although not every song featured both new members.
With their third release, 2006's four song Silver EP, jesu took a more melodic and layered approach, gaining comparison to shoegazing band My Bloody Valentine.
Their second full-length album, titled Conqueror, was released in February 2007 in the US, UK, in Europe and Japan. The Japanese edition also contained a bonus disc featuring the two tracks that constitute the 'Sun Down'/'Sun Rise' EP, released elsewhere as a 12" album on April 23.
The band made their United States live debut, in March of 2007, as an opening act for Isis, although work permit problems caused them to miss the first three weeks of the tour. Neither Ted Parsons nor Diarmuid Dalton were able to participate in the tour and were temporarily replaced by Danny Walker, of Intronaut, and long time Broadrick collaborator, Dave Cochrane, respectively. During this tour, jesu also made its South by Southwest debut as part of a Hydra Head showcase.
'Pale Sketches', a collection of older solo works from 2000-2007 was released in October 2007 on Justin Broadrick's own label, Avalanche along with a new four song EP entitled Lifeline, released by Hydra Head in the United States and Daymare in Japan.
Broadrick has also contributed remixes of songs, using the jesu name, for Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Explosions in the Sky. Future releases include split 12" albums with both Eluvium and Battle of Mice.
Bandcamp / Soundcloud
Star
Jesu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I could just forget
If I could just ignore it, like you do
Like you
If I could just forget, like you do
Like you
Gonna be a star
Gonna go so far, like you do
Like you
It won't be so hard
Not for you
Not you
It won't be so hard, not for you
Not you
It won't be so hard, not for you
Not you
It won't be so hard, not for you
Not you
It won't be so hard, not for you
Not you
It won't be so hard, not for you
Not you
It won't be so hard, not for you
Not you
The first verse of Jesu's song Star seems to address the frustration of not being able to ignore or forget something that is bothering the singer. The repeated line "If I could just ignore it, like you do" suggests that the person they are talking to has some sort of ability to move on from things that the singer is struggling with. The second half of the verse is almost pleading, as if the singer wishes they could be more like the person they are addressing.
The chorus then takes a turn towards the idea of fame and success. It seems to be directed towards the same person as in the first verse, referencing their dreams of stardom and how they will go far. The following line "It won't be so hard, not for you" almost sounds like a statement of reassurance or encouragement, as if the singer believes that person will make it and it will come easily to them.
Overall, the song seems to be using the themes of envy and aspiration to explore the relationship between the singer and the person they are talking to. The repeated lines in both verses and choruses give the impression of someone fixated on the idea of being more like the person they are addressing.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could just ignore it
I wish I could pretend it doesn't matter
If I could just forget
If I could erase it from my mind
If I could just ignore it, like you do
If only I could be as indifferent as you
Like you
With the same level of apathy as you exhibit
If I could just forget, like you do
If only I could get it out of my brain like you have
Gonna be a star
I'm going to achieve my dreams of being a star
Oh you dreamed you are
You had dreams of being a star too
Gonna go so far, like you do
I'm going to reach great heights, like you have
It won't be so hard
Success will come easily
Not for you
You've already reached success, so it won't be hard for you either
It won't be so hard, not for you
Neither of us will struggle to achieve our goals
Not you
You're already where you want to be
Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.