Zola Blood’s first recordings emerged from their windowless rehearsal room in 2014. Their dark, rumbling debut 'Grace' garnered interest from blogs worldwide and was quickly followed by the minimal 'Meridian', which struck a more euphoric note. Both tracks reached the top of the Hype Machine chart. Reflecting the band's love of club music, 'Meridian' was remixed by Berlin producer Applescal, introducing the electronic pop act to a new audience, including the BBC's Lauren Laverne.
In 2015, Zola Blood teamed up with Richard Formby on the second EP, 'Play Out/Pieces of the Day'. They established a richer and more layered sound, experimenting with modular synths and outboard gear in an intense and lengthy studio session spanning south London and Leeds. The EP earned them a late night slot at Secret Garden Party in the summer of the same year. In 2016, they began work on their debut LP, 'Infinite Games'. Having decided to self-produce, the band spent months experimenting and honing their studio skills. They worked with upcoming engineers David Oversby-Powell and Loz Curran, as well as collaborating with Oli Bayston (Boxed In) and Duncan Toothill (Little Cub). 'Heartbeat' was the first single, released in July 2016, and blended pop sensibilities with a minimal techno influences. 'Islands' followed on New Years Eve and featured on a host of major Spotify playlists, including the US New Music Friday playlist. Infinite Games was released in May 2017, initially for download and later in limited edition deluxe 12".
Islands
Zola Blood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Held together, only by accident
Water cuts, around the sun
We are sunset
Into me
Sinking in
While you're living out in your chemistry
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Silence
Don't hide
Closes around us
A steady hand to calm the sand
And divide us
Birds song
Fading on
While you're living out in your chemistry
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
The lyrics to Zola Blood's song "Islands" can be interpreted in various ways as the words leave room for personal meaning. At its core, the song explores the concept of being connected to someone accidently, or by chance, and the powerful effect of that connection. The use of the metaphor 'islands' evokes the imagery of the human mind as a constantly evolving, vast landscape susceptible to external forces such as water - mirroring the ebb and flow of emotions. The feelings of being 'held together' and the sinking sensation are reminiscent of the indescribable feeling of being trapped in a moment, frozen in time with a person.
The opening lines suggest that although the connection is accidental, it holds the two entities together, much like islands in the vastness of the sea. The line 'We are sunset into me, sinking in' could mean that the connection is a fading phenomenon that is slowly sinking in, never to be forgotten. The mention of the 'chemistry' between two people illustrates the intensity of the connection, as it is a reference to the bodily responses that occur when two people are highly compatible.
The chorus describes a sequence of emotions that are experienced while living in the moment, namely the loss of thought and memory. The lyrics seemingly suggest that one should take a break from the harsh realities of the world and let time pass, for it is always changing like the tide. The verse that follows describes the rip currents that surround the islands, bringing to focus the challenges that come with this connection. However, it's essential to remember that the rhythm of the melody is there to guide the two, and they must work in tandem to make it work.
The verses are brought to a conclusion with the acknowledgment of silence and the 'bird's song', signifying a release from reality. The chorus reiterates the need to let go of thoughts and memories and immerse oneself in the rhythm of the melody. The repetition of the phrase 'The sun gets in your eyes,' could metaphorically mean that the memories of the connection are too bright to forget, and they will always shine through.
Line by Line Meaning
Islands
The theme revolves around an unintended connection that exists between people.
Held together, only by accident
The connection that binds people together is a matter of chance and not necessarily by design.
Water cuts, around the sun
Like water molecules around the sun, we are all connected to each other creating larger entities.
We are sunset
We are just like a sunset that happens only once and lasts only for a while.
Into me
There are a few close people who understand us and envelop us intimately.
Sinking in
We are passionately, deeply involved with someone and cannot pull ourselves away.
While you're living out in your chemistry
While you are living your life, your chemistry i.e. your body, your emotions, shape how you relate to others.
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
As we age, our memories and thoughts fade with time, and we may not remember people who once shared our lives.
Take another hour, let the weather pass
Sometimes, things do not go as planned, and it is okay to take a break and let things improve over time.
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Relationships change over time, and this change is inevitable, and has been happening from time immemorial.
Rip currents surround me
Despite our desire to hold on to people and situations, we are powerless against certain irresistible changes that we have to face.
To the rhythm of our melody
We have gotten used to the changes in our lives such that we can almost predict and adapt to them as though following the tempo and melody of a song.
It's carving out our ship
The changes that we meticulously fight against end up changing us and shaping our futures, much like a wave that carves out a ship.
As at the waves are coming in
As we watch the waves of life come at us, we realize that we should embrace change and let it shape us.
Silence
Sometimes, silence is all that we need in order to fully appreciate our environment and connect with our surroundings.
Don't hide
We should not be afraid of letting people know our true selves and our innermost thoughts.
Closes around us
Silence can envelop us and allow us to connect with the world around us deeply.
A steady hand to calm the sand
Someone we trust and love can help us find our bearing when life's challenges become overwhelming.
And divide us
Divorce, betrayals, and other life-altering events can have lasting effects on us and break our once strong bonds of unity.
Birds song
The melody of birds singing reminds us that nature is beautiful and rejuvenating.
Fading on
Some good things must come to an end just like how the melody of birds fades away after some time.
Come
We should be open to new experiences and let them wash over us like waves.
The daylight in the room
As the sun's rays fill our room, we should be optimistic and welcome the light that attests to a new day.
And the sun gets in your eyes
Sometimes, the light may blind us and obscure our vision, but that is okay - we can always adjust to the new reality and keep moving forward.
The sun gets in your eyes
The line is a repeat of the earlier one, signifying that life's challenges and changes are inevitable, but we should not lose our hope or our passion for living.
Contributed by Mason F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ApeironSound
Lyrics
Islands
Held together, only by accident
Water cuts, around the sun
We are sunset
Into me
Sinking in
While you're living out in your chemistry
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Silence
Don't hide
Closes around us
A steady hand to calm the sand
And divide us
Birds song
Fading on
While you're living out in your chemistry
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
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@nadiak6135
lyrics:
Islands
Held together, only by accident
Water cuts, around the sun
We are sunset
Into me
Sinking in
While you're living out in your chemistry
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Silence
Don't hide
Closes around us
A steady hand to calm the sand
And divide us
Birds song
Fading on
While you're living out in your chemistry
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
@ApeironSound
Lyrics
Islands
Held together, only by accident
Water cuts, around the sun
We are sunset
Into me
Sinking in
While you're living out in your chemistry
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Silence
Don't hide
Closes around us
A steady hand to calm the sand
And divide us
Birds song
Fading on
While you're living out in your chemistry
Losing all your thoughts and your memories
Take another hour, let the weather pass
It's changing like the tide, like it always has
Rip currents surround me
To the rhythm of our melody
It's carving out our ship
As at the waves are coming in
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
Come
The daylight in the room
And the sun gets in your eyes
The sun gets in your eyes
✖ Become part of the Infinity:
∞ Facebook http://facebook.com/ApeironSound
∞ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/ApeironSound
∞ Instagram http://instagram.com/ApeironSound
∞ SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/ApeironSound
∞ Twitter http://twitter.com/ApeironSound
Use #ApeironSound to give me a chance to see your posts.
Activate "notifications" for Apeiron by pressing the bell besides the subscription button and never miss a song!
@TheCutaliGroup
it's carving out our shape not ship.
@johnmoonborn
Sun gets in your eyes! Cant stop the voice in my head for days now. Im glad
@leylabennet7410
Is it weird if I say that I am in love with whoever runs this YouTube channel? Apeiron your music taste is just..I don't even have words to describe:) it's amazing! xx
@IsoscelesIso
Thank you Siri for bringing me hear through your chill out playlists
@Kyonxharuhi2
the picture fits this song perfectly
@zuzanaremenarova786
I adore this song <3
@HammerLeaf
This needs to be in a movie
@MajesticCatMusic
Wonderful picture. Wonderful song. Nothing to say, just keep it up
@precioussparkle6065
I am addicted ❤❤❤