āOur 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.
āEssentially, weāve been in the process of rebranding our band, and Gutted is a big part of that,ā says Luke Rayson. āWeāre gradually moving in a heavier, darker, and more openly creative direction.ā
What the bandās debut album Colorado achieved in terms of ābigā and āprettyā 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.
āWe wanted the tone of this EP to be a bit of a departure from what weāve tried to accomplish with our previous releases, without sounding lo-fi or unpleasantly jarring at any point,ā says Aslan. āWe wanted the overall production to still be polished, but with the individual elements remaining more āalive in the room.āā
While drenched in darker, more experimental tones and moody thematic content, āaliveā may actually be the most accurate adjective to describe Gutted. After repeat listens, the new āvoiceā of the band grows stronger and more familiar -- a recalibrated and more powerful version of a model that was already working.
āGutted is a bit of a segue between where weāve been and where we are heading as a band,ā says drummer Mike Kane. āWeāre treating it as a sort of a sounding board for peoples' reactions.ā
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.
Shame
Unifier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you unwind the tape and take my side
We'd be young for a while
I feel like we should speak again
When I say you're missed it's not pretend
Are you lost or disguised?
Don't try to separate
I ask the oldain
Is this the right one?
Is this the right one?
Burn through those ropes
That keep you closed
Come back and take me home
Is this the right one?
Is this the right one?
Look at what your hands have made
From the edges of a room I watched you change
Unaware I remain
I thought I had explained it all
That you'd work up the nerve to take my call
I'm aware I was wrong
If I could ever change your mind
I'd cripple it with shame and rob you blind
No tricks, just lies
You don't glow
I'm not gonna cling like smoke to your clothes
You won't know
If it's the right one
Is this the right one?
The lyrics in Unifier's song "Shame" seem to convey a sense of longing and regret as the singer attempts to reconnect with a person they once knew intimately. The lyrics appear to capture a moment of reflection as the singer admits to missing someone they used to be close to. Despite acknowledging their mistake in the past, the singer seems to lament not being able to change their situation; expressing frustration and guilt in their inability to do so.
The first verse, "If I could ever change your mind, Would you unwind the tape and take my side," suggests a relationship that has been broken, but the singer seems to desire to make amends by reconnecting with the lines, "Weād be young for a while, I feel like we should speak again, When I say youāre missed itās not pretend." The chorus at the centre of the lyrics appears to reflect on the difficulty of making a choice with the words, "Don't try to separate nights you love from things you can't change, Is this the right one?" The final verse exposes the vulnerability of the singer as they admit to being wrong about their assumptions, and they seem to express remorse while showcasing disappointment with failing to reconnect with the person they miss so much.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could ever change your mind
The singer longs to alter the other person's perception and ultimately, their decision in order to restore their connection.
Would you unwind the tape and take my side
The singer appeals to the other person to give them a second chance by letting go of the past and reconciling with them.
We'd be young for a while
The singer nostalgically recollects the happy memories of their past with the other person and fantasizes about reliving those moments.
I feel like we should speak again
The artist expresses their desire to clear the air and initiate communication with the other person to resolve their issues.
When I say you're missed it's not pretend
The artist honestly confesses that they still have feelings for the other person and wish to have them back in their life.
Are you lost or disguised?
The singer questions the other person's behavior and wonders if they are pretending to be someone they are not, or if they are truly lost and need help finding their way.
Don't try to separate
The singer pleads with the other person to not distance themselves from the things and people they love because of the things they cannot change.
Nights you love from things you can't change
The artist advises the other person to cherish the moments and memories that they love and not let external factors overshadow them.
I ask the oldain
The artist consults the wise and the experienced seeking aid and guidance in matters of the heart.
Is this the right one?
The artist questions whether the other person is the right one for them and whether their love is worth fighting for.
Burn through those ropes
The singer urges the other person to break free from the ties that bind them and holds them back from living their life to the fullest.
That keep you closed
The artist refers to the emotional barriers that the other person has placed around themselves which have hindered their relationship.
Come back and take me home
The singer implores the other person to return to them, the place where they belong, and to rebuild their life together.
Look at what your hands have made
The singer points out the creations, accomplishments, and achievements of the other person and expresses awe and admiration for it.
From the edges of a room I watched you change
The singer observes the other person evolve, transform, or shift in their thinking and perspective from a distance.
Unaware I remain
The artist admits that although they have been observing the other person from afar, they are still oblivious to their true intent and feelings.
I thought I had explained it all
The artist believed that they had stated everything that needed to be said to the other person, but it was not enough to mend their relationship.
That you'd work up the nerve to take my call
The singer expected the other person to overcome their hesitation and contact them, but they failed to do so.
I'm aware I was wrong
The singer acknowledges their mistake and wrong assumption on the other person's willingness or capacity to reach out.
I'd cripple it with shame and rob you blind
The artist reveals their vindictive side and admits they would resort to manipulation and deception to get what they want.
No tricks, just lies
The artist confesses that they are not above telling lies to win back the other person, but they promise not to use trickery or deceit.
You don't glow
The artist notices that the other person's spark and energy have faded away, and they are no longer the vibrant person that they used to be.
I'm not gonna cling like smoke to your clothes
The singer declares that they will not stubbornly hang on to their past relationship and will let go if the other person chooses to move on.
You won't know
The artist expresses their uncertainty about the other person's decision and whether they will ever find their way back to each other.
If it's the right one
The singer still wonders if their love for the other person is justified and if they are meant to be together.
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.