2015 brought a line-up change following the departure of Sam Kohl, Steven Fernandes, and Ben Jovi. They were subsequently replaced by vocalist Marcus Cisneros, guitarist Louie Baltazar, and bass guitarist Nathaniel Duarte. They released their second single, "Sight", on September 8, 2015.
On January 6, 2016, it was announced that Wolf & Bear had signed to Will Swan's record label Blue Swan Records. On March 29, 2016, the band released their single, "Different Fires", on Blue Swan Records. They released a split EP with label-mates Adventurer, titled Wolf & Bear x Adventurer, on May 20, 2016. It was also revealed that the band were to go into the studio to record their debut full-length studio album in 2016 with producer Dryw Owens, who has produced with Sianvar and From Indian Lakes.
The band appeared on American post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance's 10-year anniversary tour in the United States in December 2015, alongside Strawberry Girls, Slaves, A Lot Like Birds, and Dayshell.
Nathaniel Duarte was abruptly kicked out of the line-up in 2016, as the group decided to go with a new member (bass guitarist of Dance Gavin Dance, Tim Feerick) to inflate their popularity.
On June 8, 2017, the band released the single "GreyBlood", their first with bass guitarist Tim Feerick, along with its music video, which premiered on Alternative Press.
On September 10, 2017, it was confirmed by Blue Swan Records that Wolf & Bear is scheduled to released their debut studio album, Everything Is Going Grey, on October 3, 2017.
On June 5, 2018, the band released a five-track live album, Grey Sessions, recorded at Pus Cavern in Sacramento, CA.
Wolf & Bear toured as support on Sianvar's headlining 2019 tour, which took place from January 11 to January 19, in the United States, along with Ghost Atlas.
On February 28, 2019, they released the lead single, "Deleto", along with its music video, from their upcoming EP.
The band attended the first annual SwanFest music festival, hosted by Rise Records and headlined by Dance Gavin Dance, on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, CA.
On June 4, 2019, they released the second single, "Red Hen". On July 18, 2019, they released their third single "Lifeguard". The group's self-titled EP was released on August 14, 2019, becoming their first release since being dropped by Blue Swan Records. In December 2019, it was confirmed that guitarist Louie Baltazar would return to the band as a guitarist.
Monstro
Wolf & Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Met the right girl at the wrong time
Couldn't tell the difference if it ain′t right
Your love still has no soul, and I will not be without it
(Focus is lost in memory) am I gonna be your crutch again?
(Overthinking) understand
(Always has me ready for my thoughts) only tying knots to have an end
Lately, got me feeling that you're gonna use me, abuse me
And I can't let this go again, you′re gonna wear me down (you′re gonna wear me down)
Your love is like a parasite, eluding, consuming
Suddenly, it goes away, it's nowhere to be found
Cutting corners never takes the crown
Making excuses in the meantime
Keeping it quiet when the sunlight clouds
Don′t you like how it shades you?
And I can't seem to break through
Aiming my sights at you despite the perfect weather
Dead weight, their knees to sever
All of the songs we were stood
Open the cage like you should, complicate it
Keep me waiting until I′m dead and gone
And I don't want to go alone, yeah
I can′t stop what I'm feeling, all my wounds are still in healing
This is just what I needed, fan away all my demons
Always hear the calling, when I was falling, when I never stand too close
(Do you want me? Do you want me? I don't know)
Wish we never knew this, living in the moment, pulling like an undertow (I don′t know)
Looking for a moment, underneath the surface, listen to the ebb and flow
Lately, got me feeling that you′re gonna use me, abuse me
And I can't let this go again, it′s gonna wear me down
Your love is like a parasite, eluding, consuming
Suddenly, it goes away, it's nowhere to be found
Yesterday, I could′ve sworn you changed, or that it's creeping in
Every day, it′s all the same
Yesterday, I could've sworn you changed, or that it's creeping in
Every day, it′s all the same
And here we go again, and I can′t seem to break through
Aiming my sights at you despite the perfect weather
Dead weight, their knees to sever
All of the songs we were stood, open the cage like you should
Ah, would you get it up, feeling up, get it up, feeling up
If I can't seem to break through?
Aiming my sights at you, despite the perfect weather
Dead weight, their knees to sever
All of the songs we were stood
Open the cage like you should, complicate it
Keep me waiting until I′m dead and gone
Stolen piece of gold, it's hanging on by a thread
Met the right girl at the wrong time
Couldn′t tell the difference if it ain't right
Your love still has no soul, and I will not be without it
(Focus is lost in memory) am I gonna be your crutch again?
(Overthinking) understand
(Always has me ready for my thoughts) only tying knots to have an end
These stains will not mend
The lyrics to "Monstro" by Wolf & Bear convey a complex and tumultuous relationship. The opening lines, "Stolen piece of gold, it's hanging by a thread / Met the right girl at the wrong time," suggest that the singer is involved with someone who may not be right for them or at a wrong moment in their life. They feel unsure about the relationship, as indicated by the line, "Couldn't tell the difference if it ain't right."
The lyrics also suggest feelings of being used and worn down. The repeated lines, "Lately, got me feeling that you're gonna use me, abuse me / And I can't let this go again, you're gonna wear me down," express the fear and frustration of being taken advantage of. The comparison of the other person's love to a parasite highlights the feeling of being consumed by their actions. However, there is also a sense of dependency and difficulty in letting go as expressed through lines like, "And I don't want to go alone" and "Keep me waiting until I'm dead and gone."
The song reflects the internal struggle of wanting to break free from a toxic relationship while still feeling drawn to the person. There is also a hint of self-doubt and uncertainty about the future direction of the relationship, as seen in the lines, "Yesterday, I could've sworn you changed, or that it's creeping in / Every day, it's all the same."
Overall, "Monstro" delves into the complexities and emotional turmoil of a relationship that has turned toxic, highlighting the struggle to break free and find healing.
Line by Line Meaning
Stolen piece of gold, it's hanging by a thread
Something valuable and precious has been taken from me and it feels fragile and unstable.
Met the right girl at the wrong time
I have found someone special, but circumstances prevent us from being together.
Couldn't tell the difference if it ain't right
I struggle to distinguish between what is right and wrong in this situation.
Your love still has no soul, and I will not be without it
Your love is empty and lacking depth, yet I am unwilling to be without it.
(Focus is lost in memory) am I gonna be your crutch again?
I am unsure if I will once again be relied upon to support and help you through difficult times.
(Overthinking) understand
I tend to overanalyze and overthink things, seeking understanding.
(Always has me ready for my thoughts) only tying knots to have an end
I am constantly preparing myself for the uncertain outcome, but it only leads to a tangled and unresolved situation.
These stains will not mend
The damage and scars caused by our actions cannot be repaired or healed.
Lately, got me feeling that you're gonna use me, abuse me
I have been feeling used and mistreated by you recently.
And I can't let this go again, you're gonna wear me down (you're gonna wear me down)
I cannot allow myself to experience this pain again, as it will continue to exhaust and weaken me.
Your love is like a parasite, eluding, consuming
Your love behaves like a parasite, constantly avoiding capture and draining me of energy.
Suddenly, it goes away, it's nowhere to be found
All of a sudden, your love disappears and becomes completely inaccessible.
Cutting corners never takes the crown
Taking shortcuts and dodging responsibilities will never lead to ultimate success or achievement.
Making excuses in the meantime
Instead of facing the consequences, I find myself making excuses to delay confronting the situation.
Keeping it quiet when the sunlight clouds
I choose to remain silent and hide the truth when faced with difficulties or uncertainties.
Don't you like how it shades you?
Don't you enjoy the protection and comfort that comes from keeping secrets and avoiding confrontation?
And I can't seem to break through
I am struggling to make progress and find a resolution.
Aiming my sights at you despite the perfect weather
Despite the external circumstances being favorable, I am still focused on you and our complicated situation.
Dead weight, their knees to sever
I feel burdened by the weight of our relationship, and it is necessary to cut ties to free myself.
All of the songs we were stood
All the promises and plans we made together now seem empty and meaningless.
Open the cage like you should, complicate it
Release me from this restrictive and complicated situation.
Keep me waiting until I'm dead and gone
You continuously make me wait and hold on, even if it means I will suffer until the end of my life.
And I don't want to go alone, yeah
I do not wish to face the future or this situation by myself.
I can't stop what I'm feeling, all my wounds are still in healing
I cannot control my emotions, and the pain from past hurts is still present and unresolved.
This is just what I needed, fan away all my demons
Being involved in this relationship is exactly what I needed to distract myself from inner demons and personal struggles.
Always hear the calling, when I was falling, when I never stand too close (Do you want me? Do you want me? I don't know)
I am always drawn to you, even when I am at my lowest, despite the uncertainty of whether you truly want me or not.
Wish we never knew this, living in the moment, pulling like an undertow (I don't know)
I wish we had never experienced this complicated and turbulent relationship, where we are constantly being pulled towards each other like a powerful undertow.
Looking for a moment, underneath the surface, listen to the ebb and flow
I am searching for a moment of clarity and understanding beneath the surface of our relationship, paying attention to its natural rhythm and flow.
Yesterday, I could've sworn you changed, or that it's creeping in
I had a strong belief that you had transformed or that something new was emerging between us, but now it feels uncertain.
Every day, it's all the same
Every day feels repetitive and stagnant, lacking any significant changes or progress.
And here we go again, and I can't seem to break through
We find ourselves in this cycle once more, and I am unable to find a way to overcome it.
Ah, would you get it up, feeling up, get it up, feeling up
Expressing a sense of frustration and desperation for a change in this situation.
If I can't seem to break through?
If I am unable to find a way to overcome these obstacles and challenges.
Writer(s): Cameron Nunez, Jacob Koval, Louie Baltazar, Marcus Cisneros, Tim Feerick, Tyler Watt
Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.