"I Am The Undertow" feat. Autumn Orange

HERE YOU GO.... the very first finished track from "Songs to Drown Sailors To"! For this one, I had the immense privilege of teaming up with Autumn Orange, whom you may know from their amazing Critical Role lofi! My favorite thing about working with Autumn Orange is that they do a really good job making it sound like I'm a very cool person 😂

For each of these songs, I have a concept in my mind — half narrative, half visual. This is the concept I wrote down for this one:

Imagine you’re out in the open ocean, treading water. You can’t see land in any direction, and aren’t sure how deep the water is. A mermaid is watching you, predatory, curious, and in no rush, because she knows you’ll drown eventually.

This was actually the first track I wrote this year once I decided to make this EP! Another fun fact: When I wrote the opening lines (the "are you scared" bit), I was doing a "float tank" that Josh got me to do. It's like... they fill up a big tub with saltwater so you float and the room is soundproofed and then they turn off the lights and you're supposed to kind of feel sensory-deprivation-y so you can meditate and stuff. It was cool and peaceful for about 40 minutes and then I was like "holy shit how long is 90 minutes anyway" and I started writing this in my head. (Trust me to literally not be able to relax for a full hour without doing some work.)

Lyrics

Are you scared?
Can your feet touch the bottom, how far is the sand?
Are you inches or miles from where you can stand?

Are you lost?
You’ve lost sight of the shoreline, is this what you planned?
Is that kelp at your ankles, or is it a hand?

You must be scared, and you’re right to fear
Your mind is racing, seeking escape
Hold in your breath, what’s left should be dear
Don’t bother fighting, now it’s too late

I am the undertow
Come, take my hand, I’ll drag you below
I am the riptide
Leading you down, your saltwater bride

Catching your clothes and pulling you near
Can’t you hear me calling
It ebbs and flows, the tide of your fear
Give yourself to falling
I am the riptide
I am the undertow

Why are you scared? There’s peace in defeat
This could be easy, only let go
Try to believe the end could be sweet
Sleep is a kindness I can bestow

I am the undertow
Come, take my hand, I’ll drag you below
I am the riptide
Leading you down, your saltwater bride

Catching your clothes and pulling you near
Can’t you hear me calling
It ebbs and flows, the tide of your fear
Give yourself to falling
I am the riptide
I am the undertow

Are you scared?
Can your feet touch the bottom, how far is the sand?
Are you inches or miles from where you can stand?