The strong sense of urgency surrounding the band, and the honest, yet ambitious sound of the album was convincing and quite unexpected, coming from a first-time act. The album earned the Danish band rave reviews, as well as a prestigious spot on the Roskilde festival’s legendary main stage.
For their next album Kitty Wu teamed up with renowned producer Rob Ellis, known for his many years of collaboration with PJ Harvey. Ellis would prove to be a key character in the band’s storyline, and helped shape and sharpen the sound and identity of Kitty Wu.
With “The Rules of Transportation”(2003) Kitty Wu grew into their own and perfected their specific brand of poetic and alternative rock. The album also saw Robert Lund gaining a position as a deeply fascinating singer and songwriter.
Ellis returned to produce “Knives and Daggers”(2005), a detached diary of city living and the chilling culmination of Kitty Wu’s foray into dark minimalism.
Both albums were critically acclaimed and gave the band a loyal underground following, helped by a reputation as an exiting live act, earned through touring - both headlining as well as supporting acts like Brendan Benson and Muse.
Now Kitty Wu is back with “Someone Was Here”, an album that bares witness to the many changes that has taken place inside the band - changes that have pushed Kitty Wu into new sonic territory and created a hectic energy within their sound.
Since releasing their last album, Kitty Wu have parted ways with bass player Samuel Helles (who left for family reasons). The departure of Helles initially sent shockwaves through the tightly knit unit, but when the dust settled, they found that being forced to rethink the band, allowed them a new freedom which created a massive sense of electricity throughout the process.
“Someone Was Here” is the sound of conflict. Noise driven guitars and beatstructures are in a constant clash with Robert Lund’s atmospheric and ghostly vocals. This intentional fight creates a nervous, driven energy and a truly hypnotic soundscape, underlining the abstract and poetic lyrics about loss and departure.
Most of the self-produced album was recorded at Studio R, a converted warehouse in the industrial part of Copenhagen. Lund subsequently laid down the complex and evocative vocal arrangements by himself, during nightly sessions in the band’s own studio, Chapter 11. The vocals, which are a defining element of “Someone Was Here”, also draws a crooked line to some of the unorthodox influences behind the album - among them Simon and Garfunkel’s classic “Bookends”.
The album was mixed in London by Guy Fixsen (My Bloody Valentine, Breeders, etc).
“Someone Was Here” is Kitty Wu at their best and most ambitious, and places them at the forefront of a thriving and exciting Danish music movement. “Someone Was Here” is handled in Denmark by A:larm Music, whose roster includes Danish acts like Mew, Efterklang and Sune Wagner of Raveonettes.
The album is available on cd / limited vinyl / download
Kitty Wu is:
Robert Lund – Vocals/Guitars Allan Schøneberg – Bass Claus Bergmann – Drums
Trigger
Kitty Wu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now control your breath, unleash
The tension in your wrist
Comb your hair in long and even strokes
Paint your lips not scared
The splintering of glass
And I'll leave...
And I'll leave you there before
And I'll leave you there before
Before you hit the ground
Before you hit the ground
Before you hit the ground
Cellophane's a worn and tired dress
Keep your shoulders straight
And cover up your back
Aim it high, the wind will take it there
Now control your breath, unleash
The tension in your wrist
And I'll leave you there
And I'll leave...
And I'll leave you there before
And I'll leave you there before
Before you hit the ground
Before you hit the ground
Before you hit the ground
The song "Trigger" by Kitty Wu is a haunting and contemplative exploration of the concept of control, both of oneself and of others. The opening lines instruct the listener to aim high and trust in the power of nature to carry the object or idea forward. The following lines, however, suggest a more sinister implication as the tension in one's wrist is unleashed. The imagery of combing hair and painting lips in preparation for something dark and dangerous adds to the sense of foreboding.
The chorus brings a repetition of the phrase "And I'll leave you there," amplifying the theme of control as one person holds power over another. The repeated line "Before you hit the ground" has a dual meaning of either stopping someone from falling or causing them to fall from a great height intentionally. The final verse mentions cellophane as a "worn and tired dress," perhaps symbolizing a facade that is covering up the true intentions and actions of the individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Aim it high, the wind will take it there
Set your sights on your goals and aspirations, as your efforts will be carried to them with ease.
Now control your breath, unleash
Take a moment to calm yourself and focus before releasing your full potential.
The tension in your wrist
The subtle, inner strength and control needed to achieve your goals.
Comb your hair in long and even strokes
Take care of even the smallest details in your appearance, as your confidence and self-image can have a big impact on your success.
Paint your lips not scared
Be bold and fearless in expressing yourself, even if others may judge or criticize you.
The splintering of glass
The moment when something breaks or shatters, indicating an irreversible change.
And I'll leave you there
I will not be there to save you or offer support when things get tough.
And I'll leave you there before
I will not let myself become involved in a situation that may lead to your downfall.
Before you hit the ground
Before you reach the point of no return, before it's too late to turn things around.
Cellophane's a worn and tired dress
Don't rely on superficial items or appearances to hide what's truly going on inside.
Keep your shoulders straight
Maintain strong posture and remain resolute in the face of adversity.
And cover up your back
Protect yourself and your assets; don't let your weaknesses be exposed or exploited.
Contributed by Carter E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.