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
Rêverie
Justin Nozuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take me up to the open mind
Well it's hard to be
With the weight on my mind
Silent pace
Help me see
On I stare
And it had me gone
Oh I'm in the air, yeah I'm in the air
Over hills
Reverie
Heavier on the upside
I saw it climb
And watched it fall
When I'm here with you
Old trees standing tall
I'm there
I'm leaving the times
From your well
Ooh, ooh, ooh from the wild
Saw it rise to the sky
And then it fell
I get caught
I get caught in the light of your spell
Ooh, ooh, ooh, let it roam
On I see
Reverie
Mines and scars
Take me up to the open mind
It's hard to be
With the weight on my mind
I get stuck
Travesty
Cut my hair
Had to lose and I didn't care
Oh I couldn't bear
No I could not bear
Lost some sleep
But all day dream
Heavier on the upside
We make the climb
And then we fall
Water be the root
And the cause of it all
I'm there
I'm leaving the times
From your well
From the wild
Saw it rise to the sky
And then it fell
Ooh, ooh, ooh I get caught
I get caught in the light of your spell
Let it roam
On I see
Reverie
Take me there
Out of the room and in the air
I'd seen a path
From birth and into ash
A wishing tree
High as the eye can see
Rising ever constantly
Walk alone
I feel the feather on my feet
And all around
The falling Earth was silent
I saw her run
And then I saw her take off
How much further could I carry on
(How much further could I carry on oh oh oh)
I could get lost inside a song
When I am there
I'm not here at all
I'm there
I'm leaving the times
From your well
Ooh, ooh, ooh from the wild
Saw it rise to the sky
And then it fell
Ooh, ooh, ooh I get caught
I get caught in the light of your spell
Ooh, ooh, ooh, let it roam
On I see
Reverie
"Reverie" by Justin Nozuka is a deeply introspective and poetic song that delves into themes of self-reflection, escapism, and the weight of one's thoughts and emotions. The singer expresses a desire to escape into a state of reverie, a dreamy and trance-like state of mind that offers respite from the burdens they carry. The opening lines speak to the struggle of carrying heavy emotional weight and seeking clarity through a silent pace, indicating a desire for peace and mental clarity.
As the song progresses, the singer describes being caught up in the ephemeral nature of life, experiencing moments of clarity and transcendence amidst the chaos and uncertainty. There is a sense of longing for freedom and release from earthly concerns, symbolized by the imagery of being in the air and roaming over hills in a state of reverie. The repeated reference to old trees standing tall suggests a connection to nature and the passage of time, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and growth.
The lyrics also touch on themes of transformation and resilience, as the singer reflects on personal growth and the journey towards self-discovery. The metaphor of cutting hair to symbolize letting go and embracing change reinforces this idea of shedding old ways and moving forward with a sense of renewal and purpose. The imagery of water as the root and cause of it all underscores the interconnectedness of life and the natural world, emphasizing the importance of finding balance and harmony in one's surroundings.
In the final verse, the singer paints a vivid picture of a spiritual journey towards self-realization, evoking a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty and mystery of existence. The imagery of a wishing tree, rising endlessly into the sky, symbolizes the infinite possibilities of life and the boundless potential for growth and transformation. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer acknowledging the transcendent power of music to transport us beyond the confines of our earthly existence and into a realm of pure emotion and expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh reverie
Addressing a state of daydreaming or deep thinking
Take me up to the open mind
Elevate my thoughts to a more expansive and creative level
Well it's hard to be
Expressing the difficulty of existing in a certain state
With the weight on my mind
Feeling burdened by heavy thoughts
Silent pace
Quietly moving forward in reflection
Help me see
Asking for assistance in gaining clarity
And it had me gone
Feeling lost or entranced by something significant
Oh I'm in the air, yeah I'm in the air
Experiencing a sense of freedom or weightlessness
Over hills
Navigating challenges or obstacles
Reverie
Returning to a dreamy or contemplative state
Heavier on the upside
Feeling weighed down by positivity or success
I saw it climb
Witnessing growth or progress
And watched it fall
Observing a decline or setback
Old trees standing tall
Symbolizing resilience and strength
I'm leaving the times
Moving away from past experiences
From your well
Drawing inspiration or insight from a source
Ooh, ooh, ooh from the wild
Exploring untamed or instinctual aspects
Saw it rise to the sky
Witnessing something ascend to greatness
And then it fell
Experiencing a downfall or loss
I get caught in the light of your spell
Being captivated by someone's influence or charm
Let it roam
Allowing thoughts or feelings to wander freely
Mines and scars
Reflecting on past struggles or emotional wounds
I get stuck
Feeling trapped or immobilized
Travesty
Acknowledging a great tragedy or injustice
Had to lose and I didn't care
Accepting sacrifices made without regret
No I couldn't bear
Expressing an inability to tolerate something
Lost some sleep
Sacrificing rest for the sake of dream pursuits
But all day dream
Finding solace or escape in daydreaming
Water be the root
Recognizing the core cause of a situation
And the cause of it all
Understanding the origin or reason behind everything
I'm not here at all
Feeling disconnected from reality when lost in thought
The falling Earth was silent
Experiencing a sense of stillness or peace
How much further could I carry on (How much further could I carry on oh oh oh)
Questioning the extent of one's endurance or perseverance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Justin Nozuka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind