Sony Music International
Release Date: May 15th 2020
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Kygo & OneRepublic– Lose Somebody (Single) (iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Lose Somebody
This year of 2020 has been pretty crazy, don’t you reckon? Amidst all of the chaos surrounding COVID-19 and the riots and protests pertaining to the killing of George Floyd; there is an unescapable fact that we all need to hear to understand that is underneath and permeating through all of the noise and calamity. And it is this. That we are in unprecedented and uncertain times. That we are stuck at home during quarantine trying to beat COVID-19- and we aren’t even sure if this virus will be eradicated this year or not! That we also aren’t sure if we are racists or not (at our core deep down if we really examine ourselves!); and all of that uncertainty and issues we’ve never had to face before… well I guess it’s reason enough for us to feel like our world is out of control. It’s a time where we can feel isolated and alone, like no one loves us anymore- and like we’re the only one going through hell on earth. And while most of our favourite TV shows are renewed, these shows unfortunately won’t be in production until late this year or even next year. Music artists are delaying albums and are cancelling tours, while some of us workers in hospitality and retail have been stood down from work. White leaders are unintentionally making mistakes and being somewhat unfairly crucified for their actions in this time of ‘Black Lives Matter’; while the protests, rioting and looting are all still going on. Yet the release of music in some form is nonetheless a constant in these troubling times. Artists are becoming more and more creative these days- sure some are delaying projects, but others are releasing standalone digital singles, or a surprise album or an EP full of rarities. Whatever the case, I reckon as listeners we need music now more than ever to fill the void of emptiness and pain- thus artists are now becoming creative, and are thinking outside of the box in terms of releasing new material. And now here we are, as pop band OneRepublic (who Jon has spoken about in his Momentous Mondays post!) have delayed their full length album Human indefinitely- but just recently have teamed up with Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo, with their smash hit song “Lose Somebody”. Presumably written in quarantine, this 3 minute EDM pop toe-tapper is just ‘what the doctor ordered’- it’s a silly yet reflective and honest track, and one that we can jam out to in the times when we feel like we’re trapped at home (maybe all the time for some of you!), and also one that we can gain a heartfelt and impacting message from it.
As we as a site are intending to review Human, and though we have reviewed OneRepublic’s new track “Better Days” here; “Lose Somebody” is something different altogether. First of all, it’s marketed as a Kygo song (featuring OneRepublic)- which doesn’t make sense as Kygo doesn’t sing! And second of all, the vibe of “Lose Somebody” is just different. With the track essentially being much happier than “Better Days”, we are introduced to Ryan passionately and fervently relaying that he realises that he likes someone person when they are unavailable to him. Lyric-wise, this song is pretty intense, however the themes of longing and rejection, which are a part of everyday life, are indeed more palatable and able to be stomached especially when the music is more ‘sunshine and rainbows’ than what we’ve come to expect from Ryan and his friends. Also, when you watch the pretty trippy music video with Kygo and Ryan Tedder… well you’ll be amazed, and these lyrics will permeate in your soul even if you want it to or not.
In this very moment with so much uncertainty; I’d have to say that the future is unknown in all facets- economically, emotionally, relationally… but with songs like “Better Days” – and now “Lose Somebody” – to listen to, hope is still alive in the hearts of all of us, as we hang onto our humanity and our strength. While I myself are of the opinion that right now we need more and more new music to get us through, I for one agree somewhat with Ryan Tedder in that releasing new music while a pandemic is going on seems a bit insensitive. Yet every artist is different- and at least there is still uplifting music around if you only know where to look. OneRepublic may not unveil Human for a while…but as long as we can be reminded to cherish the ones you love and to chase after your dreams and whatever else is in your heart, then I am certain that we will see the light at the end of the tunnel in the coming months and years! Well done guys- and Kygo- for one of your most important and musically impressive songs yet! And I can’t wait to hear Human! Cause when I do, that means that maybe the bulk of the effects of COVID-19 are over!
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Tenth Avenue North, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, The Fray, Little Mix, Pentatonix