A pastiche of post-rock, chamber-pop and contemporary classical composition, the self-titled debut album is strongly influenced by Ludwig-Leone's background in classical music, which includes a job assisting composer/arranger Nico Muhly.
After finishing his musical studies at Yale, Ludwig-Leone wrote the album in six weeks while holed up in a studio on the mountainous border between Alberta and British Columbia. He focused on lifeʼs top-shelf issues – youth, nostalgia, anxiety, unrequited love – and tied these vast themes to different characters through vocal contributions from longtime friend Allen Tate, as well as Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius.
The first track released from the album, Sonsick, tackles many of these larger themes head-on. ”It’s like a panic attack disguised as a birthday party,” Ludwig-Leone says. ”I realized that the most intense moments are the ones in which conflicting emotional worlds exist inside you, equally, at once.”
San Fermin is not an album of singles but rather a sweeping, full-bodied listen with multiple distinct peaks and ambitious thematic connections. Ludwig-Leone composed all of the album’s arrangements and lyrics in full prior to collaborating and recording, noting that “writing for a large group of unknown musicians infused the writing process with a kind of operatic scope.
Since then, the band has coalesced into a core of eight members in addition to Ludwig-Leone: Allen Tate and Rae Cassidy, lead vocals; Eliza Bagg and Rebekah Durham, vocals/violin; John Brandon, trumpet; Stephen Chen, saxophone; Tyler McDiarmid, guitar; and Mike Hanf, drums.
Bride
San Fermin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roses in the yard
I can see the people in their places on the lawn
Dazzling in white
Blindingly alone
In and out of strangers I am floating like a ghost
Suddenly I′m dissociating
Then ooh ooh ooh
Out of body, out of mind
Out of mind, oh no—
And I I I
Am done with my perfect
Done with my perfect lies
And I I I
Am done with the perfect
Am one with the perfect bride
Fizzing through my blood
Trying to fight it down
Paralyzed and lidded I am mumbling the sounds
I can feel the boil
Poison chemicals
Buzzing in my body trying to wrestle for control
Then ooh ooh ooh
Suddenly I'm dissociating
Then ooh ooh ooh
Out of body, out of mind
Out of mind, oh no—
And I I I
Am done with my perfect
Done with my perfect lies
And I I I
Am done with the perfect
Am one with the perfect bride
Da-du-dah-da da-da-da-da
Da-du-dah-da da
Da-du-dah-da da-da-da-da
Da-du-dah-da da
Da-du-dah-da da-da-da-da
Da-du-dah-da da
Roses in my hair
Dazzling in white
Dress me up in ribbons just to wake under the knife
Then ooh ooh ooh
Suddenly I′m dissociating
Then ooh ooh ooh
Out of body, out of mind
Out of mind, oh no—
And I I I
Am done with my perfect
Done with my perfect lies
And I I I
Am done with the perfect
Am one with the perfect bride
Da-du-dah-da da-da-da-da
Da-du-dah-da da
Da-du-dah-da da-da-da-da
Da-du-dah-da da
Da-du-dah-da da-da-da-da
Da-du-dah-da da
The song "Bride" by San Fermin is a haunting and evocative exploration of the pressure and expectations placed on women to be the "perfect bride." The lyrics paint a picture of a bride who is suffocating under the weight of societal norms and expectations, as she struggles to reconcile her inner turmoil with the exterior perfection demanded of her. Symbolism is used throughout the song, with the roses in the yard and hair representing the idealized image of a bride, while the poison chemicals represent the toxicity of this image.
The first verse describes the bride as being surrounded by people and the image of perfection, but feeling alone and disconnected from it all. The repetition of "out of body, out of mind" emphasizes the feeling of dissociation and disconnection. In the chorus, the bride declares that she is done with trying to be perfect and conform to society's expectations. The use of the triplet "I I I" emphasizes her individuality and her desire to break free.
The second verse describes the internal struggle the bride is experiencing as she tries to fight against the pressures placed upon her. The use of the phrase "paralyzed and lidded" creates a sense of being trapped and unable to break free. The bridge repeats the dissociation theme from earlier, emphasizing the mental and emotional toll of trying to be the perfect bride. Finally, the last chorus emphasizes the bride's rejection of the perfect image and her embrace of her own individuality.
Overall, "Bride" is a powerful commentary on the societal expectations placed upon women to conform to a specific image of perfection, and the struggle to maintain individuality amidst these pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Roses in my hair
I am adorned with flowers in my hair.
Roses in the yard
There are flowers scattered in the yard.
I can see the people in their places on the lawn
I am observing the people gathered on the lawn.
Dazzling in white
I am wearing a brilliant white garment.
Blindingly alone
I am overwhelmingly and painfully alone.
In and out of strangers I am floating like a ghost
I am moving through crowds of strangers as if I am not really there.
Then ooh ooh ooh Suddenly I'm dissociating
Suddenly, I feel disconnected from reality.
Out of body, out of mind
I feel like my mind and body are separate entities.
Out of mind, oh no—
This feeling troubles me deeply.
And I I I Am done with my perfect Done with my perfect lies
I am finished with pretending to be someone I am not.
Am one with the perfect bride
I have become the 'perfect' bride, but it is not what I truly want.
Fizzing through my blood Trying to fight it down
My emotions are overwhelming and difficult to control.
Paralyzed and lidded I am mumbling the sounds
I am unable to move or speak coherently.
I can feel the boil Poison chemicals Buzzing in my body trying to wrestle for control
I am experiencing an internal struggle with mental and emotional distress.
Dress me up in ribbons just to wake under the knife
I am being forced into a situation that is supposed to be beautiful, but is really dangerous or harmful.
Writer(s): Ellis Ludwig-leone
Contributed by Audrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Eyezofdarkfire
This is one my favorite songs to see you guys do live! Can’t wait for you to come back already! Yes I was the one standing still in the crowd busy having a spiritual moment listening to you all.
@Angels_Ashes
Your graphic designer deserves an award. I'm mesmerized. Love the details and the color shifts. Seriously under-rated artist.
@theXoddXfox
This is my favorite song right now. It's been stuck in my head for 2 weeks and I've yet to get tired of it! It's fun to sing along to, hum, and whistle when I'm busy doing errands and chores. I love it so much.
@kazan4059
Such a great music song how could not viral this song 🥺🥺
@krysjez
You guys are the most amazing group I've discovered in the last four years. What a pleasure to see you live.
@megamanxero
You guys are one of the most amazing groups I've heard in years.
@anisahaguilar5230
Bless the beauty of Ellis's writing 🙏🙏
@zachcarlson8905
You never fail to impress me. I can't wait to see you all perform again. Your music is truly something different and I'm excited to see whatever you guys do next after the album drops April 7th, whether a year from then or ten. I'll gladly wait a lifetime.
@americossack3870
I remember hearing this song at my local Barnes and Noble about a year ago. I Shazammed it and went like “huh, cool” and forgot about it. A year later I remember it, google variations of “Bride song” until I finally found it and here I am now.
@NomadHills
Such a great and refreshing song!