altopalo is a group of long-time friends that make music that Pitchfork cal… Read Full Bio ↴altopalo is a group of long-time friends that make music that Pitchfork calls "genre-less". Their LP "frenemy" is a self-produced sonic journey about both the hardships and joys of friendship. Created in and out of bedrooms in Indiana and New York, the record also speaks to the band's artist community, with features from Bartees Strange and Dora Jar peppered throughout. For the Deluxe LP "frenemy (with friends)", altopalo have called on their friends to give their original tracks their own individual sparkle. In this package we have remixed tracks from Chrome Sparks, J. Mordechai, Jacana People, James Hartnett, Clear Eyes, Swansea Skag, and Youngest Brother.

It was touch and go as to whether altopalo would come together to make another album again. Being best friends for over ten years has made them incredibly comfortable with each other, to the extent that their friendship has become more like a brotherhood, a familial kind of relationship with all the strains and hurt that entails. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in the summer of 2020, drummer Dillon Treacy decided that he needed to take a step back from the band as the only black member of a group otherwise made up of white people, at least until they could all take some time to reflect. This lasted a couple of weeks and wasn’t something that they publicly talked about on social media, but Dillon’s leave of absence led altopalo to realize how they needed to be with each other in order to make music and relate to each other. Added to the fact that the pandemic forced the music industry machinery of constant gigging and endless album cycles to grind to a halt, altopalo had to become truly friends again rather than friends who played in a band together. Going into writing frenemy, they were clear that they wanted to make an album that spoke to their relationships to each other; as guitarist Mike Haldeman puts it, “the least dishonest thing we could do is just make music about us. The source material is literally the fabric of our friendship.”

Glow
altopalo Lyrics

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Like a fire in a field
When the night falls
So bright so high
And it′s your fault
You got me glowin' baby
You got me glowin′ baby
Like a fire in a field
When the night falls

Let it burn
Let it go
Out of control
It's an endless heat
Fillin' my soul
You got me glowin′ baby
You got me glowin′ baby
Let it burn
Let it go
Out of control

I'm a box of matches
All you do is light me up
Keep throwin′ dat fuel onto my flame
'Til I′m smoke and ashes
Melt me down with every touch
Keep throwin' dat fuel onto my flame
You got me glowin′

Fireflies in the light
Of a full moon
Float around and my arms
Are around you
You got me glowin' baby
You got me glowin' baby (like)
Fireflies in the light
Of a full moon

I′m a box of matches
All you do is light me up
Keep throwin′ dat fuel onto my flame
Til I'm smoke and ashes
Melt me down with every touch
Keep throwin′ dat fuel onto my flame
You got me glowin'
I′m a box of matches
All you do is light me up
Keep throwin' dat fuel onto my flame
Til I′m smoke and ashes
Melt me down with every touch

Keep throwin' dat fuel onto my flame
You got me glowin'

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of altopalo's song "Glow" describe the intense feeling of being infatuated with someone, comparing the experience to a fire in a field. The song opens with the imagery of a bright and high fire in the darkness, symbolizing the power and excitement of this newfound love. The lyrics suggest that this intense glow is the result of the person they are infatuated with. The repetition of the line "You got me glowin' baby" emphasizes the captivating effect this person has on the singer.

The second verse reinforces the metaphor of the singer being a box of matches and the other person being the one who ignites their flame. The lyrics express a sense of surrender and vulnerability to this person's influence. The line "Keep throwin' dat fuel onto my flame 'til I'm smoke and ashes" suggests that the singer is willing to be consumed by this love, giving themselves entirely to the passion they feel.

The final verse brings in the imagery of fireflies in the light of a full moon, which symbolizes the magic and beauty of the connection between the singer and their love interest. The repetition of the line "You got me glowin' baby" reinforces the sense of being completely entranced and illuminated by this person's presence.

Overall, "Glow" portrays the captivating and all-consuming nature of love, using the metaphor of fire and light to convey the intensity and excitement of this experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Like a fire in a field
Similar to a blazing fire in an open space

When the night falls
During the nighttime

So bright so high
Extremely radiant and elevated

And it's your fault
Attributed to your actions

You got me glowin' baby
You've caused me to emit an intense glow, emotionally or spiritually

Let it burn
Allow it to ignite and flourish

Let it go
Release any inhibitions or restraints

Out of control
Beyond the realm of management or restriction

It's an endless heat
An infinite warmth

Fillin' my soul
Overflowing within my inner being

I'm a box of matches
I represent a collection of ignitable objects