Razor Braids – Queen City Sounds and Art

Razor Braids, photo courtesy the artists

There is a deep sense of nearly paralyzing self-awareness in Razor Braids’ single “It Goes Quiet.” But the song with its themes of learning to be present in relationships rides that fine line between overthinking and trying to be sensitive to the boundaries and concerns of one’s partner and not letting those thoughts overwhelm you. The distorted guitar lines interweave with those more moody, introspective and atmospheric in moments reflecting the various impulses of mind that one navigates in moments of peak vulnerability that borders on insecurity and veering off letting that state guide one’s feelings away from dissociating in reaction to the flood of thoughts and emotional colorings that can come into your heart and head when you’re trying to be mindful and not mess up something special. The line “I feel like I am somebody else” and the bit about “the weight of words unsaid” speak to that tension eloquently. And the final line of the song “I wanna be your ocean, swim in me, stay the night” articulates a desire for intimacy and deep connection that can seem intense though real. It’s a short song imbued with great psychological nuance that gives comfort in the acknowledgment of the multiplicity of thoughts that can pull one away from being in the moment. Listen to “It Goes Quiet” on Spotify and follow Razor Braids at the links below.

Razor Braids on Facebook

Razor Braids on Instagram

Razor Braids, photo by Justin Bruschardt

Brooklyn’s Razor Braids wrote a tender anthem to remember to be in the moment in situations in which your energy might be derailed by thoughts about your past and overthinking the future. In particular when you meet someone special who takes you by surprise with their attention and interest. There is an awareness in the lyrics of the tendency of many people to throw a wrench into something that could be good by succumbing to anxiety over not wanting to mess up an important connection with thoughts of assuming you’re going to make the same old mistakes or that you’re limited by them all the time or new types of errors and offenses one might commit. But really if you can stay in the moment it’ll be okay. The music is loosely in the realm of indie rock or punk the way say bands on the Kill Rock Stars or K Records labels might be in the 90s with punk spirit and ethos but an embrace of vulnerability and gentleness of spirit as a virtue and an aspect of being a complete person. The music video, directed by Razor Braids bassist and vocalist Hollye Bynum, shows a party in which women are mingling and having a good time and not stressing what someone might think is wrong with them, rather, being in the moment as suggested by the song and enjoying genuine connection with one another. The song was apparently written as a queer anthem given the lyrics and the presentation of the song but really anyone that claims they’ve never felt a twinge or much more than a twinge of anxiety in social situations especially in meeting someone special is probably not being completely honest. The immediacy of this Razor Braids song and its inviting spirit makes it accessible for anyone. Watch the video for “She” on YouTube and follow Razor Braids at the links provided.