In 2018, Papa and Vidović decided to rebrand, replacing dark pop sound with nostalgic synthwave sound of the '80s and starting to make music in their native Croatian.[6] Under the new name Pocket Palma, they released an EP Godišnji in summer 2019. During the same year, they signed a contract with Croatian label Aquarius Records and released their self-titled debut album in Croatian. That same year, Bruno Žabek joined the band as the guitarist.
Papa and Vidović met in high school in 2012 and, started making covers of songs by Arctic Monkeys and Guns N' Roses "for fun". They both attended elementary music school, where Papa played the flute and Vidović played the piano. Following their graduation from high school, they enrolled in the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences at the University of Zagreb.
In 2013, they released their debut single "Things Which No One Else Should Know About" under the name Side Project, after which they began working on their debut album. In March 2015, they released a music video for their new single "Glitter", directed by Filip "Philatz" Filković. On 4 September the same year, they released their debut studio album Things Which No One Else Should Know About. They promoted the album by holding a concert in Tvornica Kulture, Zagreb on 5 December.
In 2016, they released singles "Guns" and "Giving Souls Away". In June 2017, they released their new single "Second Skin", inspired by Zagreb Pride 2017. In September the same year, they released the lead single off their sophomore album of the same name, "Lonely Boys". During the same year, they recorded official soundtrack for Filip Filković's short dystopian film The Last Well, which was released in November. In December, Lonely Boys was released.
In 2018, Papa revealed they had dropped out of university.
Papa and Vidović stated that they had spent most of 2018 separated, consequently not knowing how to make music for Side Project together as they both had headed in different directions. They simply "were not inspired to make new Side Project material". During one of their sessions, they decided to translate one of the songs they had written to Croatian and thought it "sounded cool". In spring 2018, they composed new music and wrote lyrics about going to the seaside, going out of the city, and summer love in English to it. They said they had decided to try themselves out in synth pop "after Vidović had wandered to Yugoslav synth pop playlists on YouTube". In the beginning of 2019, they decided to write about the same topics, but in Croatian instead. They released their debut single in Croatian, titled "Godišnji", under the new name Pocket Palma. In May 2019, they released a mini-album of the same name. Until the autumn, they scored a radio hit "Ono što nam inače nedostaje".
After Pocket Palma's music had been taken down from online platforms, Papa and Vidović announced in October they had signed a contract with Croatian label Aquarius Records. In December, they released their debut self-titled album in Croatian for Aquarius. It consisted of all songs from Godišnji, as well as four new songs. The album was met with universal acclaim by the critics, who compared it with Croatian bands Nipplepeople and Denis & Denis.
On 31 January 2020, Aquarius Records rereleased the duo's Side Project works. On 29 February, they held a concert in Tvornica Kulture, Zagreb. In March, they released two collaborations, "Voli me" with ManGroove and "Minuta (PP Version)" with Ida Prester.
The phrase "Al' neće biti zauvijek" roughly translates to "But it won't last forever" in English. This lyric encapsulates a sense of transience, evoking the understanding that moments, relationships, or feelings we experience are fleeting. In many artistic expressions, the theme of temporality is a powerful one—suggesting that everything we cherish is ultimately subject to change, decay, or departure. This line could reflect on the bittersweet nature of experiences, conveying a sense of nostalgia or melancholy for things that may not persist. The acknowledgment of impermanence can provoke both comfort and sorrow, as it may lead listeners to appreciate the present moment while also grappling with the reality of loss.
Moreover, the phrase may serve as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life. In the context of the broader narrative of the song, it invites listeners to consider how joy and pain coexist, shaping our understanding of existence. Every joyful moment may be tinged with the awareness that it is not eternal, prompting us to savor life as it unfolds. This duality can be deeply resonant; it encapsulates a universal truth about human experience. The lyric can inspire introspection about the fleeting nature of love, youth, happiness, or even hardship, pushing individuals to reflect on their own lives and the moments they wish could last longer.
Additionally, the use of the conjunction "Al'"—which means "but"—suggests a contrast or a change in perspective. This linguistic choice indicates that while there may be an optimistic or hopeful moment preceding this realization, it's essential to confront the reality that nothing is permanent. This contrast can create a rich emotional tension within the song, as listeners are urged to navigate between moments of joy and the shadow of impermanence. It may be a call to live intensely and authentically, fully acknowledging that the beauty of experiences is intrinsically linked to their temporary nature. By embracing this contradiction, the song can motivate individuals to find peace in the present even when faced with inevitable change.
Lastly, the implications of this lyric can also extend to a broader comment on relationships and connections. "Al' neće biti zauvijek" could express the anxiety that accompanies deep emotional bonds, capturing the essence of longing and fear—fear of separation or loss, alongside the deep love that compels us to form connections. It could be suggesting that while we might want certain relationships to last indefinitely, the reality is that they will evolve, possibly fading or transforming in ways we cannot control. This sentiment resonates with many listeners who have experienced the complexity of relationships, prompting them to explore their feelings of attachments, separations, and the bittersweet quality that relationships inherently possess. Ultimately, this lyric captures the poignant truth that, while we might yearn for permanence, the beauty of life's moments lies in their fleeting nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Al' neće biti zauvijek
However, this moment is not eternal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anja Papa, Luka Vidovic
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind