Rudi Mikhail Zygadlo, named after two Russians dancers: Rudolph Nureyev and… Read Full Bio ↴Rudi Mikhail Zygadlo, named after two Russians dancers: Rudolph Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov, yet another of the Scottish-bred beat contingent, who have spent the last year and change convincing the seven Americans paying attention that Glasgow is far more than the sum of Belle & Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand, and cheap stereotypes involving Groundskeeper Willie and his retirement grease. Like Mike Slott, Hudson Mohawke, and Rustie, Zygadlo operates at the hazy intersection of hip-hop and dubstep, and despite the reductive simplifications they’ve engendered, like anything truly creative, their styles are singular.

Inspired by classical, church liturgies, opera, folk, Zappa, and early ’00s early hip-hop, Zygaldo’s music stands out from his peers for his eclecticism and deep devotion to song-craft, boasting well-constructed hooks, bridges, and breakdowns. Calling these “beats” does them a grave disservice, with their brain-frying synths, ruthless groove, and symphonic inclinations most closely resembling Guido and Nosaj Thing. Hearing Zygadlo on a Mary Anne Hobbs’ BBC1 mix for the first time, engendered a stop-whatever-it-is-that-you’re-doing epiphany, one that immediately made me want to know more about the man who will soon be eliciting a spate of bad “Rudi Can’t Fail” headlines. A Google search brought back little information other than mentioning that he used to play in an indie-rock group called The Velcro Quartet. Thus, this interview needed to happen. Zygaldo’s first full-length, Great Western Laymen, drops in April on Planet Mu.
All the music in the album Great Western Laymen was written, recorded and produced in his bedroom: "Its a banal setting but i guess it has become an atmospheric requisite for me to write, in the way that I do. My work desk faces the window which faces Great Western Road, referred to in the in album's title so there's an immediate connection there. From my window I can see two big churches which may also have helped me (immaculately) conceive the ecclesiastical themes inherent in the lyrics. But there were other reasons for that too."

Lily
Rudi Zygadlo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

I′ve been waiting
I've been waiting

I′ve been waiting
I've been waiting

I've been waiting
I′ve been waiting

There′s a figure in the hallway
With an invitation
And saying: "you can have it your way"
And in the heat of it all
And in the heat of it all
In the heat of it all
In the heat of it all
In the heat of it all
In the heat of it all
In the heat of it all

In the heat of it all and saying: "you can have it your way"
And saying: "you can have it your way"

In the heat of it all and saying: "you can have it your way"
And saying: "you can have it your way"

Overall Meaning

The repetitive nature of the opening lines "I've been waiting" conveys a sense of anticipation and longing. This repetition creates a feeling of restlessness and impatience, suggesting that the singer has been waiting for something significant to happen.

The mention of a figure in the hallway with an invitation introduces a mysterious element to the lyrics. This figure symbolizes a potential opportunity or path that is being presented to the singer. The repetition of the phrase "you can have it your way" underscores the idea of choice and agency, implying that the singer has the power to shape their own destiny.

The phrase "in the heat of it all" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing a sense of intensity and urgency. This could signify that the decision or opportunity presented by the figure in the hallway is occurring in a moment of heightened emotion or pressure. The repetition of this phrase creates a sense of climactic tension in the lyrics.

Overall, these lyrics convey a sense of anticipation, choice, and intensity. The repetitive structure and key phrases highlight the importance of the moment being described, suggesting that the singer is poised on the brink of a significant decision or event. The ambiguous nature of the figure in the hallway and the invitation adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the lyrics, leaving room for interpretation and reflection on the theme of agency and opportunity.

Writer(s): Rudi Zygadlo

Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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