From the gravesite of anxiety and panic disorder, Waxflower‘s latest single comes. “Together” conjures a conversation in an imagined cemetery, with vocalist Tristan Higginson reflecting on his time with the controlling presence that’s now dead and buried below.
Fueled by fact beyond imagery, “Together” was inspired by the resolution of Tristan’s year long battle with mental illness. Now free from the daily panic attacks he was under the grips of, Tristan figuratively and mentally stands on the other side of the experience, and tributes his role with Waxflower as helping him to get there.
It seems only fitting that “Together” assumes a place in the Brisbane band’s discography, following on from debut “Cut Your Teeth” and its follow-up “Back To Back”. The song’s gentle beginning is almost sweet, but a sense of haunting soon becomes lyrically apparent, with judgemental and dismissing voices arising.
“I’m not enough”
Upbeat and relatively cheery at its chorus, featuring bright tamborine shakes and a clap-along beat, it’s a lighter-than-expected vibe. Maybe in celebration of being extracted from the manipulative beast that’s buried below? Radiant guitar melodies play as the song continues, and Tristan muses as to whether he should join them in the soil or not.
A tense bridge with its layers and ‘moment of truth’ refusal to “give it up” seems to make the choice to never join with the personified disorder, and the ‘togetherness’ referred to by the song’s title is that they will both die alone.
Subtle, sweet, real, and celebratory, “Together” is another gem in Waxflower’s discography. Listen to “Together” here: http://smarturl.it/WaxflowerTogether
