At the same time Ripatti was recording for Berlin’s experimental dub-house imprint Chain Reaction – a Basic Channel sub label – and the influential Mille Plateaux as Vladislav Delay, as well as on MP parent label Force Inc. as Uusitalo. What marks out Luomo particularly from these other monikers, aside from a more overt pop orientation, is the extensive, sensitive use of vocal samples from a variety of collaborators. All Luomo albums owe much to processed feminine voices, particularly that of Finnish jazz singer Johanna Iivanainen, a vocalist renowned for her timbral and poetic singing. The production qualities tested in Vocalcity, pensive and polished, were elaborated for Luomo’s rich and sensual follow up 'The Present Lover' (2003); the voice of Johanna Iivanainen was again a featured, along with that of Antye Greie (AGF). Ripatti’s long fascination with vocals, reached a new nadir as he used them like actors in his music to say old things in new ways: manipulated, mutitracked and processed into teasing fragments.
Several 12” appeared over the next two years including a collaboration with Raz Ohara that paid homage to the pop genius of Michael Jackson, as well as remixes for DFA and Massive Attack among others. During this time he also formed a trio with Antye Greie and Craig Armstrong called The Dolls. Ripatti returned with Iivanainen in 2006 for his third Luomo album, 'Paper Tigers', recognised as his most accomplished to that point. 'Paper Tigers' moved in the hard-won territory between the dark chasms of Vladislav Delay and the over-bright pop ideal Ripatti had been chasing on earlier albums. Behind the gloss and hooks, Ripatti’s background as a drummer came to the fore more strongly than ever on 'Paper Tigers' with the stuttering rhythms extended in deeply layered percussive lines. Ripatti’s early training as a jazz drummer allowed him to effortlessly create rhythms that evolved subtly and hypnotically to confuse listeners, deconstructing standard patterns with texture and complexity.
Ripatti’s creative arrangements, the results of tireless experimentation and search for meaning, have come to fruition in his fourth Luomo album, 'Convivial' (2008). 'Convivial' sees Luomo-as-producer at his most upfront and extrovert, embracing more overt pop motives than ever, and features vocal collaborations with not only Iivanainen, but a spectrum of artists from a range of what could be considered pop-experimentalism. Sascha Ring (Apparat) sings a straightforward, heartbreaking ballad, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters offers a touch of glam, classic chicago house producer Robert Owens appears on an eponymous track, and Panorama Bar resident Cassy is featured in a club friendly cut. On 'Convivial', Ripatti has taken the Luomo project deeper and broader with collaborations and upfront song structures while retaining familiar Luomo basslines and synth stabs, and without losing the sensitive, experimental touch that is so highly valued in his productions.
Visitor
Luomo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you
With you
And
When I visit you, I miss you
I am a part of you, and you get me through
With a sudden refuse, you make me choose
When you show me again, how weak, how proud,
I doubt you wanna make me burn
I doubt you wanna make me burn
I doubt you wanna make me burn
I doubt
I doubt you wanna make me burn
I doubt you wanna make me burn
I doubt you wanna make me burn
I doubt
I doubt
I doubt you wanna make me burn
You wanna make me burn,
up
I'm cleaning up black coffee and feta cheese
How much do I owe you, how much I need from you
I'm alone a lot, your silence is your weight on me
Me and my is some kind of transparent skin
Burning
Burning
I'm boiling in your coat
My ride comes slow and untold
I'm boiling in your coat
My ride comes slow and untold
I'm boiling in your coat
My ride comes slow and untold
I'm boiling in your coat
My ride comes slow and untold
I'm boiling in your coat
My ride comes slow and untold
Luomo's "Visitor" is a cryptic and emotionally charged song that can be interpreted in many ways. The lyrics seem to describe a complex relationship between two individuals, with the singer expressing both a longing and a frustration towards their lover. The chorus "I doubt you wanna make me burn" could be interpreted as a plea for reassurance or a warning against the potential volatility of their connection.
The first verse describes a sense of emptiness and disconnection when apart from the loved one, but also a feeling of strength and support when together. The lines "With a sudden refuse, you make me choose" suggest that the relationship may have some power dynamics at play, with the singer feeling forced to make difficult decisions or sacrifices in order to maintain the connection. The image of burning is repeated throughout the song, perhaps representing both a desire for passion and a fear of being consumed by the intensity of their emotions.
The second verse offers a glimpse into the singer's daily life without their lover, which seems to be characterized by loneliness and self-reflection. The repeated line "I'm boiling in your coat, my ride comes slow and untold" could be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling trapped or suffocated in a relationship, with the singer relying on their partner for emotional support despite feeling uncomfortable. The final repetition of the phrase "burning" suggests a sense of impending danger or crisis, as the singer struggles to maintain their sense of self amidst the intensity of their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Miss you
I am feeling your absence and longing for your presence
And you
I also miss the essence of who you are
With you
I yearn for the feeling of being with you
And
Furthermore, I have more to say
When I visit you, I miss you
My physical presence with you does not fulfill my emotional longing for you
I am a part of you, and you get me through
I feel connected to you and rely on you for support and strength
With a sudden refuse, you make me choose
You put me in a position where I have to make a difficult decision
When you show me again, how weak, how proud,
Your actions reveal your vulnerabilities and strengths
And how rarely you get loud
But you are not one to raise your voice often
I doubt you wanna make me burn
I do not believe you intend to hurt me or cause me pain intentionally
I doubt
I have some reservations and skepticism about you
You wanna make me burn, up
But your actions have the potential to harm me emotionally
I'm cleaning up black coffee and feta cheese
I am dealing with the aftermath of our time spent together
How much do I owe you, how much I need from you
I am trying to figure out the balance of what I owe you and what I require from you
I'm alone a lot, your silence is your weight on me
I often feel lonely, and your lack of communication makes me feel burdened by our relationship
Me and my is some kind of transparent skin
I feel exposed and vulnerable when it comes to my true feelings for you
Burning
The intensity of my emotions for you is overwhelming
I'm boiling in your coat
Your presence is suffocating me and causing me distress
My ride comes slow and untold
I am waiting for an escape from this situation, but it is not happening quickly
I'm boiling in your coat
I am still feeling confined by you and our relationship
My ride comes slow and untold
I am still waiting for a way out, but it is not happening quickly
I'm boiling in your coat
I am still feeling overwhelmed and burdened by you
My ride comes slow and untold
I am still waiting for a way to escape our relationship, but it is not happening easily
I'm boiling in your coat
Your presence and hold on me is still causing me distress
My ride comes slow and untold
I am still looking for a way out, but it is happening slowly and with difficulty
Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.