From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.
The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.
In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.
In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.
A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.
Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).
UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.
Mayday
UNKLE Lyrics
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It's uh, a bit screwed
But you can't catch my love
I ebb and you flow
It's uh, a bit screwed
But you can't catch my nerve
These scars are discerning
I ebb and you flow
It's uh, a bit screwed
But you can't catch my nerve
The lyrics to UNKLE's song Mayday seem to be written about the push and pull of a complicated relationship, with the first two lines stating, "I ebb and you flow, it's uh, a bit screwed." Ebbing and flowing are natural occurrences in the ocean's tides, but when it's applied to human emotions and actions, it invokes a sense of back-and-forth, inconsistency, or imbalance. The lyrics suggest that the relationship is not ideal, but difficult to walk away from or solve. The lines, "But you can't catch my love, But you can't catch my nerve" indicate that there is a clear disconnect or lack of understanding between the two individuals, with the subject expressing that the other person cannot grasp what they are feeling or going through.
The next lines, "These stars are descending, These scars are discerning" suggest that the situation at hand is affecting the person's overall being, both outwardly and inwardly. The "stars descending" could indicate a decline or sense of loss, while "scars discerning" suggests that the individual is becoming more aware or perceptive of their own pain or hurt.
Overall, the lyrics to Mayday express the frustration and confusion that can come from a complicated relationship, where the emotions are not aligned, and the individuals cannot seem to connect or understand one another.
Line by Line Meaning
I ebb and you flow
Our relationship is constantly shifting and changing. I may move away from you at times and you may move closer to me at times. It's a bit complicated, but it's the way it is.
It's uh, a bit screwed
Our relationship may not be perfectly predictable or functional. There may be times when we don't quite understand each other. It's not ideal, but it's part of the package.
But you can't catch my love
Despite the challenges we may face, my feelings for you are deep and cannot be easily captured or controlled. You cannot force me to love you or stop loving you.
These stars are descending
The world around us is changing and things may not seem as bright or hopeful as they used to. It's as if the stars in the sky are falling and losing their light.
These scars are discerning
The wounds we have experienced in our lives have taught us valuable lessons and have made us more aware of the world around us. We can see things more clearly because of our scars.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OLLY BETTS, TOBY BUTLER, LUKE FORD, DANIEL LIAM HIGGINS, LIELA ROSEMARY SADIE LOUISE MOSS, JAMES GABRIEL LEO LAVELLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind