Blending elements of neo-soul, folk, old-time blues and pop, Justin has the guts of Ray LaMontagne and the soul of Lauryn Hill.
This guitar slinging aficionado has the street smarts of an urban swinger and the heart-bending soul of a gospel preacher, and is adept at blending a dark, bluesy Americana vibe with warm, acoustic soul where bits of old folk music and flamenco tunes swirl in and out of earshot.
During his short career, Justin has already snagged stage time with John Cale, Crowded House, Ziggy Marley, Sam Roberts, Jully Black and Xavier Rudd.
"In his debut album "Holly", Justin Nozuka has created eleven impressive pieces of thoughtful acoustic-soul. Filled with understated melodies, minimal production and an interesting, sometimes dark take on song-craft...4 Stars." -- BBC
"Superior acoustic soul. .4 Stars." -- Q Magazine, UK
"...Nozuka is producing material that is unlike any other singer songwriters - and consequently is beyond genre definition. Largely, it is one man and his faithful guitar - but with a voice like his, there really is no need for any other instrumentation. In truth it would only get in the way. 4 Stars." -- Belfast Daily Telegraph
"Nozuka seemed very modest, but there was absolutely no reason. He had every eye on him and it was nearly impossible to look away. Every song seemed to outdo the one before it, and when he quietly walked off, we were all aching for more." --Chartattack.com
Years Active: 2006 – present
Dreaming
Justin Nozuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blue in the faint
She had been crying
Voice soft like the rain
I've never seen pain
Without trying
Pink and purple collide
While she's still alive
She's slowly drying
Past deeper than words
Higher than birds
She was once flying
Straight from religious lines
And now she is blind
So sick of lying
Say whatever you may
But she is a goddess of the sky
Eyes changing color
Realer than m y dreams
Glowing on the candle of eternity
In Justin Nozuka's song "Dreaming", the lyrics are discussing a girl with eyes like drops of wet paint. Her eyes are blue with the faint outline of tears, indicating she has been crying. Her voice is soft, like the sound of rain, though he's never seen anyone in pain without trying. Her eyes change color frequently, with pink and purple colliding. Although she's still alive, she's slowly drying out. Her past is deep-rooted and complex, more extensive than words can convey, and once she was capable of flying higher than birds. She was raised strictly religious, but now she's spiritually blind and tired of living with deceit.
Line by Line Meaning
Eyes like drops of wet paint
Her eyes were teary and shining like drops of freshly painted art.
Blue in the faint
Although her eyes were blue, you could hardly see them due to the tears.
She had been crying
The reason for the wetness in her eyes was crying.
Voice soft like the rain
Her voice was as soft and gentle as the sound of rainfall.
I've never seen pain / Without trying
Although she was not actively showing pain, he could feel it in her gentle voice and watery eyes.
Eyes changing color
Just like her emotions, her eyes changed color.
Pink and purple collide
Her eyes went from blue to a mix of pink and purple, signifying her underlying emotions.
While she's still alive / She's slowly drying
She's going through a tough time but she's trying to make it through and heal slowly but surely.
Past deeper than words / Higher than birds
She has been through some difficult times that are hard to explain, but they have brought her to a higher level of understanding of herself and the world around her.
She was once flying
There was a time when she felt free and soaring, but now she has come back down to reality.
Straight from religious lines / And now she is blind / So sick of lying
She was once tied to religious teachings, but now she has grown tired of the lies and deception in the world and feels disconnected from everything around her.
Say whatever you may / But she is a goddess of the sky
Regardless of what anyone thinks or says, she is beautiful and majestic in her own unique way, like a goddess.
Realer than my dreams / Glowing on the candle of eternity
She is more real and tangible than dreams, and her essence will continue glowing like a flame on the candle of eternity.
Writer(s): Justin Nozuka
Contributed by Lily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.