Spending three years in an incubatory state, the band began as a trans Pacific collaboration between Christopher Stephenson (Spray Paint/Exek) and Krystal Maynard (Bad Vision/ex-Polo) in 2016. By 2019 Christopher had long since relocated to Melbourne and the pair recruited Giles Fielke (ex-Low Tide) and James Beck (Personal Touch/ex Rat Columns) on bass and drums respectively to form screensaver as it exists now.
‘Expressions of Interest’ is the debut album from screensaver, released on Heavy Machinery (AU) and Upset the Rhythm (UK) Records. Sonically, the 10-track album is rich and detailed, and pays homage to its era of inspiration: late 70s-mid 80s post-punk and new wave. From electronic driven krautrock, to post-punk full of tribal toms and dirge-y synths to death-disco style tracks with touches of EDM, Expressions of Interest is an album that is both fierce in attack and worthy of the dancefloor. Maynard’s vocal style is equal parts haunted and commanding, her lyrics exploring themes of social degradation, frustration and repetition, whilst exposing the fragility of our bodies/minds on the whole.
High & Dry
screensaver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I bet you think that′s pretty clever don't you boy.
Flying on your motorcycle
Watching all the ground beneath you drop. You′d kill yourself for recognition
Kill yourself to never ever stop.
You broke another mirror
You're turning into something you are not. Don't leave me high
Don′t leave me dry
Don't leave me dry
Drying up in conversation
You will be the one who cannot talk.
All your insides fall to pieces
You just sit there wishing you could still make love
They′re the ones who'll hate you
When you think you′ve got the world all sussed out
They're the ones who′ll spit at you.
You will be the one screaming out.
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don′t leave me high
Don′t leave me dry
It's the best thing that you′ve ever had
The best thing that you've ever, ever had. It′s the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you′ve had has gone away. Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don′t leave me high
Don′t leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don′t leave me high
Don't leave me dry.
The lyrics of Screensaver's song High & Dry depict a person who is living a dangerous and selfish life, seeking recognition and fame at any cost. The first stanza starts with the singer boasting about his daredevil antics, calling himself clever for jumping on his motorcycle twice in a week and flying high while everything falls below him. He is so eager for recognition that he would even risk his own life. The second part of the stanza takes the dark turn, depicting the singer's obsession with his image, as he breaks another mirror and is turning into someone he is not.
In the second stanza, the singer's superficiality leads to drying up in conversation, as he does not have much to talk about beyond his reckless stunts. He is falling apart internally, and his obsession with his own image has left him incapable of making meaningful connections. The people around him see through his façade and hate him for it, and when his bubble eventually bursts, they will be the ones to spit at him. The chorus repeats twice, with the singer desperately pleading for someone not to leave him high and dry, emphasizing the theme of loneliness and fear of abandonment. The final verse seals the singer's downfall, as he realizes that the very thing he thought was his best - his obsession with image and fame - has now gone away.
Overall, the song High & Dry is a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking fame and recognition at any cost. It shows the consequences of being so focused on oneself that one neglects meaningful connections with other people.
Line by Line Meaning
Two jumps in a week
You're doing something daring and thrilling twice in a short span of time
I bet you think that's pretty clever don't you boy.
You're proud of what you did and feel like you've outsmarted someone
Flying on your motorcycle
You're feeling free and powerful while riding your motorcycle
Watching all the ground beneath you drop.
You're taking risks and enjoying the feeling of being above everyone else
You'd kill yourself for recognition
You're so desperate for attention and praise that you'd do anything, even if it means harming yourself
Kill yourself to never ever stop.
You're willing to sacrifice everything to keep going and achieving more
You broke another mirror
You're experiencing bad luck and feeling like something is not right
You're turning into something you are not.
You're becoming a different version of yourself that you don't recognize or like
Don't leave me high
Don't abandon me when I'm feeling good or successful
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me when I need your emotional support or help
Drying up in conversation
You're losing your ability to communicate and connect with others
You will be the one who cannot talk.
You'll be the one who's unable to express themselves and will feel isolated
All your insides fall to pieces
Your emotional state is falling apart and you're feeling lost
You just sit there wishing you could still make love
You're feeling helpless and wishing for something that you can't have
They're the ones who'll hate you
The people who were once close to you will turn against you
When you think you've got the world all sussed out
When you think you have everything figured out and under control
They're the ones who'll spit at you.
Those same people will show you disrespect and disgust
You will be the one screaming out.
You'll be the one in pain and in need of help
It's the best thing that you've ever had
You've never felt this good or successful before
The best thing that you've ever, ever had.
Emphasizing how great this feeling is
It's the best thing that you've ever had
Repeating how amazing this feeling is
The best thing you've had has gone away.
That amazing feeling is now gone and you're left feeling empty
Don't leave me high
Don't abandon me when I'm feeling good or successful
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me when I need your emotional support or help
Don't leave me high
Don't abandon me when I'm feeling good or successful
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me when I need your emotional support or help
Don't leave me high
Don't abandon me when I'm feeling good or successful
Don't leave me high
Don't abandon me when I'm feeling good or successful
Don't leave me dry.
Don't leave me when I need your emotional support or help
Contributed by Ava S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Circle Lotus Media
this is a whole vibe
Don't Tell Dena
Thank you much 🙏🏽💚
avimour
BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!