Young Galaxy formed in Vancouver, Canada, as duo including Stephen Ramsay and Catherine McCandless. Through that summer of 2005 and the spring of 2006 they recorded with appearances and contributions of friends at Jace Lasek’s Breakglass Studio. Their sound has been described as similar to the bands Slowdive, Galaxie 500 and Luna as well as Pink Floyd and Spiritualized. The band has toured in Canada, The United States and Europe, opening for Arcade Fire, The Album Leaf, The Frames, Peter, Bjorn and John, Stars and Death Cab For Cutie. They later moved to Montreal, where they recorded their self-titled debut. The album was released on April 24, 2007.
They recorded their second album Invisible Republic in Montreal at Hotel2Tango studio with Radwan Moumneh engineering (A Silver Mt. Zion, Pas Chic Chic) and at Breakglass Studios with Jace Lasek of The Besnard Lakes engineering. Invisible Republic was released independently on August 25, 2009 through Fontana North. It was mixed by Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, Snow Patrol) in Glasgow, Scotland. It was subsequently released in July 2010 in the U.S.A. by Paper Bag Records, and received a long list nomination for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize.
The band followed up in fall 2010 with YG No Art EP, an EP comprising unreleased tracks and remixes from the Invisible Republic sessions.
Their third album, Shapeshifting, was recorded in Montreal, Canada, and was produced by Dan Lissvik of the band Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden. The band communicated with Lissvik via Skype over the nine months he spent mixing the recorded vocals.
The album, released in February 2011 on Paper Bag Records, has been described as a massive change in creative direction, eschewing their former shoegaze, dream-pop style for a more electronic pop sound. Stephen Ramsay describes the change in song composition method, "instead of picking up a guitar and finding the most brilliant melody we could, we tried to erase the shape of the songs."
Discography:
Swing Your Heartache (2006, EP)
Young Galaxy (2007)
Invisible Republic (2009)
YG No Art EP (2010)
Shapeshifting (2011)
Ultramarine (2013)
Oh Sister
Young Galaxy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're not wrong, you're wrong-handed
Sister
Running back on the path from the sun
Sister
Everyone thinks you're off the radar
I know the reinvention has just begun
Come on
In the dark to a day we never knew exists
Come on
Sister
We're not strong, we're empty-handed
Sister
Terrified by the other lies
Sister
Nobody knows what you are made of
But I know you get to move on and survive
Spin the end into a start my little faint of heart
Come on
In the dark into a day we never knew exists
Come on
Oh sister
Come on
Oh sister
Come on
The song "Oh Sister" by Young Galaxy seems to be a message of encouragement and support to someone who may be feeling lost or misunderstood. The repeated use of the word "sister" seems to convey a sense of solidarity and sisterhood, reinforcing the idea that the listener is not alone in their struggles.
The lyrics suggest that this sister may have faced challenges or criticisms from others, as they are described as being "wrong-handed" and "off the radar". Despite this, the singer knows that this sister has the ability to reinvent themselves and move forward.
The chorus is a call to action, urging the sister to "spin the end into a start" and find a new beginning. The use of the phrase "faint of heart" suggests that the sister may be hesitant or uncertain, but the singer is there to offer support and encouragement.
Overall, "Oh Sister" is a hopeful song that reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and encourages us to keep moving forward and finding new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh sister
Addressing the subject of the song, emphasizing the importance of the following message
You're not wrong, you're wrong-handed
Your unique approach to life is often mistaken for being incorrect
Sister
Reiterating the singer's relationship to the subject of the song
Running back on the path from the sun
Retreating from a path of personal growth and ambition
Sister
Repeating the artist's connection to the subject of the song
Everyone thinks you're off the radar
Others don't fully understand or recognize your goals and progress
I know the reinvention has just begun
Despite others' perceptions, I recognize your potential for transformation
Spin the end into a start my little faint of heart
Use the conclusion of one situation as a catalyst for new beginnings, despite feeling unconfident
Come on
Encouragement to take action and move forward
In the dark to a day we never knew exists
Through uncertainty and discomfort, reaching a better future
Sister
Repeating the title of the song and the subject's relationship to the singer
We're not strong, we're empty-handed
Acknowledging weakness and inadequacy, but not letting it stop us
Terrified by the other lies
Afraid of the false narratives and expectations placed on us by others
Nobody knows what you are made of
Despite others' inability to understand, the subject has the strength to succeed
But I know you get to move on and survive
Despite adversity, the subject has the ability to overcome and thrive
Oh sister
Reiterating the importance of the subject of the song
Come on
Encouragement to push forward
Oh sister
Closing statement, bringing the focus back to the subject of the song
Come on
Final encouragement to take action and persevere despite obstacles
Contributed by Tyler I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ellis Logan
No comments. Wow. This is an amazing song. The synth line evokes some really primordial feelings in me. Come back to State College YG!