FOR YOU BROTHER - Swept Away

On rotation: FOR YOU BROTHER "SWEPT AWAY"

For You Brother, a rising music duo from South Carolina made up of lyricist and vocalist Azoughn and multi-instrumentalist Jon Dash, recently released their latest single, Swept Away. The track focuses on life after loss, specifically inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. However, you don’t have to have experience with hurricanes to relate to this emotional three-minute track.

From the first couple seconds of the track, the production of Swept Away entails that the song is serious in nature, starting with a classic piano melody before going on to introduce a lush arrangement. The track’s grandiosity comes to light when layers are added to the production, including backing vocals and other instruments, such as guitar, drums, and additional textures. Perhaps this production style is on purpose, with the progression adding to the emotion found in the song’s lyrics.

Afterall, lyrically, Swept Away balances the line of specificity with ambiguity. Each part of the song allows listeners to project their own emotions, but also making it clear that the song is about loss in one way or another.

For example, the first verse contains the lyrics “Every drop of memory, every wave of tear, drowning in the silence, wishing you were here.” While these lyrics might not immediately make the listener think of a natural disaster, they surely focus on grief. Meanwhile, the chorus states, “I thought I knew bad days, but I never knew bad days, until I was swept away,” which is where the imagery of the hurricane comes into the picture. One thing this duo really nailed was giving their listeners vivid lyrics while also avoiding overexplaining.

In a genre often dominated by electronic textures and experimental production, Swept Away stands out with its almost Broadway-inspired sound. For fans of songwriters like Damien Rice, Florence and the Machine, or even the cinematic qualities of Coldplay, this track offers a unique addition to their playlist if they’re looking to be swept away by a new sound.