The dreamy alt-indie of Amsterdam-based group Klangstof is the product of N… Read Full Bio ↴The dreamy alt-indie of Amsterdam-based group Klangstof is the product of Norwegian singer/songwriter and producer Koen van de Wardt. His earliest inspiration was Radiohead's OK Computer, which he used to hone his instrument-playing skills. Once he started writing his own material, he bolstered his songcraft abilities with studies at Hedmark University College in Norway. After a stint as bassist with Dutch indie band Moss, van de Wardt committed himself to the Klangstof project in 2014. After releasing the single "Hostage" in 2016, he signed with Mind of a Genius, home to Zhu and Gallant. The sweeping tune incorporated the icy soundscapes favored by Radiohead in their late-era works, while also infusing some of the ethereal atmospherics of Sigur Rós and funky flourishes of Alt-J into the mix. A full-length arrived in 2016. Close Eyes to Exit featured "Hostages" and the title track. It resulted in a remix collection, Klangstoff Remixes: Dusk, that was issued in 2017.

Close Eyes To Exit
Klangstof Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Your face's to young
To be taken serious
And the adults are armed
'Cause they planning his flag
Your face's to young
To be safe and indifferent
And all the adults are drunk
'Cause they can't stay in bed

Life's so much better, when tied to the ceiling
Life's so much better, when drowning in the sea

And all those different stories
That's if you bothered to listen
When everyone's deaf
And somehow, you will enjoy what you're seeing
Me on the ground, having no clue

Life's so much better, when tied to the ceiling
Life's so much better, when drowning in the sea

Close your eyes to exit

Close your eyes to exit
Close your eyes to exit, this time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Klangstof's "Close Eyes to Exit" delve deep into the theme of growing up and the inherent complexities that come along. The opening lines "Your face's too young to be taken serious, and the adults are armed 'cause they planning his flag" highlights the struggle of being young, where one's voice and opinion don't matter as much and the adults are busy trying to establish their own power. This intensifies the sense of vulnerability, and the following line "Your face's too young to be safe and indifferent" reinforces this sentiment. The second verse "And all those different stories that's if you bothered to listen when everyone's deaf" hints at the inability of the young and the old to communicate and understand each other.

The chorus "Life's so much better when tied to the ceiling, life's so much better when drowning in the sea" serves as a grim reminder of the bitterness that comes with growing up. The inability to both soar high and sink low, the feeling of being stuck in the middle evokes a sense of entrapment. The last verse "Close your eyes to exit, close your eyes to exit, close your eyes to exit, this time" perhaps suggests the need to turn inward to search for solace and a way out from this quagmire.

Overall, "Close Eyes to Exit" delves into the pathos of growing up, the disillusionment that comes along, and the need to find one's own way out when it all feels hopeless and suffocating.

Line by Line Meaning

Your face's to young
You appear too inexperienced and naive

To be taken serious
To be considered a credible source of information or opinion

And the adults are armed
Adults are prepared or equipped with knowledge and power

'Cause they planning his flag
Because they aim to establish their dominance or influence over others

Your face's to young
You're not mature enough to handle certain situations

To be safe and indifferent
To remain unaffected by events or circumstances that may be challenging or dangerous

And all the adults are drunk
Adults are intoxicated or clouded by their own biases and perspectives

'Cause they can't stay in bed
Because they're restless or troubled by anxieties and worries

Life's so much better, when tied to the ceiling
Life is easier when one is confined or restrained, avoiding the complexity and unpredictability of the world

Life's so much better, when drowning in the sea
Life is simpler when one is overwhelmed by emotions or sensory experience, disregarding rational thought and action

And all those different stories
Despite the variety of perspectives and narratives in the world

That's if you bothered to listen
Only if one takes the effort to pay attention and understand

When everyone's deaf
When people are unable or unwilling to hear or comprehend others

And somehow, you will enjoy what you're seeing
Despite the chaos and confusion, one can still find pleasure or beauty in their surroundings

Me on the ground, having no clue
Feeling lost or uncertain about the situation at hand, with no guidance or direction

Close your eyes to exit
Shut out the sensory and emotional input of the world to find clarity or escape

Close your eyes to exit
Block out external stimuli to focus on inner contemplation or meditation

Close your eyes to exit, this time
This time, retreat from the world to find a temporary sense of peace or solitude

Writer(s): Koen van de Wardt, Wubbo Siegers

Contributed by Levi M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

cruelaz

6y↑18

This song got me through so many panic attacks

zxginay

6y↑16

this song is why i love discover weekly on spotify

Cas Winters

5y↑4

the first klangstof song I’ve ever heard thanks to one of my favorite radio stations. this song has gotten me through so much, please continue to spread your amazing music, you guys are amazing.