“Our new EP is about reinvention, both as individuals and a band, and we wanted the title Gutted to reflect that -- but with the bleak connotation in which we experienced it," says singer/guitarist Aslan Freeman. In the tradition of great modern alternative noisemakers like Brand New, Jimmy Eat World, and Foo Fighters, Unifier has spent the last several years releasing and performing a steady stream of gorgeously driving pop rock records (Colorado, Oh Great City EP, B_sides: Volumes 01-03). While momentum has reached an all-time high, the band has continually pushed to refine their sound and rediscover what drives them as artists, both individually and as a collective whole.
“Essentially, we’ve been in the process of rebranding our band, and Gutted is a big part of that,” says Luke Rayson. “We’re gradually moving in a heavier, darker, and more openly creative direction.”
What the band’s debut album Colorado achieved in terms of “big” and “pretty” aesthetics, Gutted matches with newfound elements of rawness and aggression. Conceptually, the EP wanders into both familiar and darker domains, examining recurring feelings of loss, helplessness, doubt, and judgment through a variety of narrative lenses.
“We wanted the tone of this EP to be a bit of a departure from what we’ve tried to accomplish with our previous releases, without sounding lo-fi or unpleasantly jarring at any point,” says Aslan. “We wanted the overall production to still be polished, but with the individual elements remaining more ‘alive in the room.’”
While drenched in darker, more experimental tones and moody thematic content, “alive” may actually be the most accurate adjective to describe Gutted. After repeat listens, the new “voice” of the band grows stronger and more familiar -- a recalibrated and more powerful version of a model that was already working.
“Gutted is a bit of a segue between where we’ve been and where we are heading as a band,” says drummer Mike Kane. “We’re treating it as a sort of a sounding board for peoples' reactions.”
As with any evolution, each stage of output represents a step down a longer path. With Gutted, Unifier is discovering their true north; a creative foundation which countless iterations can be built upon. Gutted marks the beginning of a new era for Unifier -- a period of growth through refinement; of progress through focus.
Expect the new EP at digital retailers everywhere on March 24th and visit spartanrecords.com for more information about Unifier and the Gutted EP.
Colorado
Unifier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To dig it up
And come back to life
Get back in line
You'll be alright
We were alright
Catch fire
Is anybody still learning how?
Against our
Main reaction
Reaction
I can't tire
Of the feeling
That something should be happening now
Not inspired
But it's alright
Yea it's alright
Freeze it off
Can you think at all?
The work's on the way
But I see it in you
I keep making mistakes
I hope I'll be better soon
If my lungs decay
When my throat is through
I'll still sing for you
I'll heal things for you
Breathing alone
Everything's closer
The cut of the cleanest air
In an old coat
With the oldest ghost
I left my heart there
I caught fire
I was listening
I swear that I'm still hearing you now
Been taught by
My reactions
Reactions
The song Colorado by Unifier has a strong message of hope and resilience amidst difficult times. The opening lines "Taking your time, To dig it up, And come back to life, Get back in line, You'll be alright, We were alright" seem to encourage perseverance and patience in the face of adversity. The line "Catch fire, Are you listening, Is anybody still learning how?" might suggest that despite the hardships, there is an opportunity to ignite passion and inspiration within oneself. The following line "Against our main reaction, Reaction, I can't tire, Of the feeling, That something should be happening now" could be interpreted as a call to action or a desire for change.
The chorus of "Freeze it off, Can you think at all?" may signify the need to push through uncomfortable moments and overcome obstacles in order to achieve growth and progress. The second verse "The work's on the way, But I see it in you, I keep making mistakes, I hope I'll be better soon" could imply that while the journey towards success may be challenging, it is important to acknowledge the progress being made and continue to strive towards improvement. The closing lines "Breathing alone, Everything's closer, The cut of the cleanest air, In an old coat, With the oldest ghost, I left my heart there, I caught fire, I was listening, I swear that I'm still hearing you now, Been taught by my reactions, Reactions" could serve as a reminder to appreciate the small moments of beauty and growth in the midst of chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Taking your time
The need to not rush through life, but to dig up the past and revive oneself
To dig it up
The importance of reflection and introspection to overcome one's struggles
And come back to life
The act of self-renewal and finding the motivation to move forward
Get back in line
Reassurance that everything will fall into place eventually
You'll be alright
Belief that one's hardships will pass and things will get better
We were alright
Remembering past happiness and using it to stay positive
Catch fire
Feeling alive and passionate about something
Are you listening
Asking others to pay attention and be present in the moment
Is anybody still learning how?
Questioning if we are actually growing and evolving as individuals
Against our main reaction reaction
Acknowledging the desire to break free from habitual patterns and behaviors
I can't tire
The need to stay motivated and persistent despite challenges
Of the feeling
Recognizing that passions and desires should never be ignored
That something should be happening now
Urge to take action and make things happen instead of waiting for them to happen
Not inspired
Feeling uninspired but still believing that everything will work out as it should
But it's alright
Staying positive and hopeful despite the lack of inspiration
Freeze it off
The need to clear the mind and focus on what truly matters
Can you think at all?
Challenging others to assess if they are present mentally and emotionally
The work's on the way
Believing that progress is being made, even if it's not immediately visible
But I see it in you
Recognizing the potential for growth and success in oneself and others
I keep making mistakes
Acknowledging the difficulties and errors in life that come with growth
I hope I'll be better soon
Believing in one's ability to learn from mistakes and improve over time
If my lungs decay
Acknowledging the inevitability of death and the importance of living fully while we can
When my throat is through
Accepting the end of one's life and the inability to sing or speak any longer
I'll still sing for you
Promising to leave a lasting legacy through music and other accomplishments
I'll heal things for you
Desire to make things better for oneself and others, even in the face of adversity
Breathing alone
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others, but still surviving
Everything's closer
Realizing the proximity and importance of people and things in our lives
The cut of the cleanest air
Appreciating the purity and beauty of nature
In an old coat
Memories of the past and the comfort of nostalgia
With the oldest ghost
Haunted by the past and unable to fully move on from certain events
I left my heart there
A piece of oneself left behind in a certain place or memory
I caught fire
Feeling alive and invigorated by something
I was listening
Actively engaged in the world and open to new experiences
I swear that I'm still hearing you now
Remembering loved ones and feeling their presence even after they are gone
Been taught by my reactions
Learning from past behaviors and experiences
Contributed by Tristan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Justin Gibbons
i love this band