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)
Shapeshifting
Young Galaxy Lyrics
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Spheres and charms and aching arms
Holding and unfolding
I would be warmth and spring
A flooding creek and
Bells ringing, ringing, ringing
But I'm shape shifting
Feathers push from my skin
I'm trickster again
Bird of prey has moved in me
Like a splinter
Despite myself I grow thinner
Guarding my nest through
The darkened winter, winter, winter
But I'm shape shifting
Creature of change
It's me who un-veins
A-choking on tethers and weather, no
Invading my veins
Replacing my name
'Til I become you
And I'm shape shifting
The lyrics to Young Galaxy's song Shapeshifting explore the concept of transformation and change, depicting the singer's willingness to become different types of beings to satisfy various roles. The opening lines express the singer's desire to either be a lover or a mother, suggesting a theme of nurturing and caretaking. The repetition of "spheres and charms and aching arms" seems to evoke images of completeness, magic, and pain associated with love and motherhood.
The rest of the lyrics explore the concept of shape-shifting, both physically and emotionally. The line "I would be warmth and spring, A flooding creek and Bells ringing, ringing, ringing" suggests that the singer desires to move from a cold, stagnant state to one of growth and renewal, yet they are held back by the volatile nature of their own transformation. The singer embodies the metaphor of a bird, describing themselves as a "trickster" and a "creature of change", constantly shifting their identity.
The chorus line "But I'm shape shifting" is repeated several times throughout the song, suggesting a sense of uncertainty and instability in the singer's new forms. The final lines "Replacing my name 'Til I become you" suggest a complete transformation and the loss of one's own identity in favor of that of another. These lyrics seem to represent a sense of fluidity and adaptability, yet also a fear of losing oneself in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could be lover or mother
I have the desire to portray warmth and compassion, which are the characteristics of a lover or a mother figure.
Spheres and charms and aching arms
The idea of being able to provide comfort and unconditional love is something that I find desirable.
Holding and unfolding
The act of holding someone close and helping them to unfold to their full potential is something I long to do.
I would be warmth and spring
I would embody the qualities of the changing of seasons and the renewing of life.
A flooding creek and
I would flow freely and nourish everything in my path like a creek in the springtime.
Bells ringing, ringing, ringing
I would bring happiness and joy to those around me, like the sound of bells ringing out loud.
But I'm shape shifting
Despite my desire to be stable and unchanging, I must accept that life is about change and growth and that I too must change and adapt.
Feathers push from my skin
I am embracing my inner self and allowing it to emerge and take flight.
I'm trickster again
I am becoming playful and mischievous and bringing a sense of lightness to the situation.
Bird of prey has moved in me
I am feeling a sense of determination and strength that is similar to that of a bird of prey.
Like a splinter
This transformation is intense and somewhat painful, but I know it is necessary for my growth.
Despite myself I grow thinner
Even though the process of change is painful, it is making me stronger and more resilient.
Guarding my nest through
I am fiercely protective of my loved ones, and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe and secure.
The darkened winter, winter, winter
Even in the face of adversity, I will persevere and continue to protect and care for those I love.
Creature of change
I am embracing my nature as a being that is constantly evolving and changing.
It's me who un-veins
I am peeling away the layers of my old self to reveal my true self underneath.
A-choking on tethers and weather, no
The obstacles in my way are suffocating and overwhelming, but I know I can overcome them with perseverance.
Invading my veins
This change is permeating every part of my being and transforming me from the inside out.
Replacing my name
I am shedding my old identity and becoming someone new.
'Til I become you
I am transforming into the person I need to be to fulfill my destiny.
And I'm shape shifting
I am embracing the changes taking place and transforming into a stronger and more powerful version of myself.
Lyrics © MILO PUBLISHING INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Catherine Anne McCandless, Stephen Ramsay, Max Solomon Henry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Go Earthboy
Awesome is hear this song before sleep!♡ I love ir!