Finding Strength through Sacrifice: KRISTOPHER's 'Swear to God' Empowers the Embrace of Authenticity

Updated: Jul 23, 2023

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves compelled to change our identity to meet the expectations of others, especially when it comes to pleasing our loved ones. However, this dynamic becomes even more complex when mixed with religious connotations, as it creates constant emotional pressure to act in a certain way or adhere to certain norms. This sometimes prevents us from following our own instincts and distances us from our true essence as human beings.

Kristopher Houck, a talented independent singer and songwriter based in Orlando, Florida, precisely addresses this theme in his latest release titled "Swear To God." The song, released on June 9th, 2023, in collaboration with Artemis Music Entertainment, immerses us in the constant internal struggle that many of us face when questioning our own identity in search of social acceptance and personal validation.

About the Artist.

Kristopher Houck, better known as KRISTOPHER, is a talented artist who pours his heart and soul into his music, creating melodies and lyrics that resonate with authenticity and sincerity in listeners. Hailing from the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida, KRISTOPHER has over a decade of experience in musical theater and orchestral performances, which have allowed him to perfect his skills as a versatile performer and multi-instrumentalist.

Additionally, KRISTOPHER holds a degree in psychology, enabling him to understand the complexities of human emotions from a broader perspective. It is through this profound knowledge that he reflects universal feelings in his music, conveying a deep sense of empathy and connection to his listeners through his lyrics. The unique combination of artistic talents and understanding of human behavior possessed by KRISTOPHER makes for a perfect blend in the musical style he develops. He is capable of vividly expressing different universal emotions through his music, which is perceived as a catharsis aiding each listener on their personal journey.

KRISTOPHER's music is characterized by an incredible and captivating fusion of acoustic and pop genres. He skillfully combines different elements from both styles, intertwining them to define his own musical identity. In addition to his original compositions, KRISTOPHER pays tribute to his most influential artists through his choice of reinterpretations, such as his version of Billie Eilish's "8" or Ariana Grande's "Into You." These covers have already amassed over 35k views on YouTube. These tributes serve as a testament to the profound impact that music has had on his artistic development, enriching his musical career and bringing his own creations closer to new audiences.

About the Release.

"Swear to God" is KRISTOPHER's second new music release since the end of the pandemic, and it dramatizes the emotional struggles of sacrificing personal truth for acceptance and love. The goal of the song is to challenge the belief that one needs to change to be worthy of another person, and Kristopher shares his own experience of growing up feeling the need to change to please the deity he believed in.

The song is written to be especially relatable to the struggles of LGBTQ audiences, but it also conveys a universal message about the importance of unconditional love and acceptance, as well as the harm caused by their absence. It seems that Kristopher seeks to promote emotional honesty and vulnerability through his music, aiming to help others feel and heal through the cathartic power of music.

“With Swear to God I wanted to shine a light on the lie that you need to change for someone else to feel worthy,” explains Houck. “Growing up I struggled with the feeling that I needed to change in order to please the god I believed in. Having a part of my identity labeled as bad made me want to do everything I could to make it right.”

Kristopher Houck.-

In-Depth Analysis.

Theme.

"Swear to God," as the title suggests, is a song that immerses us in an emotional journey through a vow that entails the personal sacrifice of changing our true essence to be accepted and loved by others.

The song presents a lyrical composition that conveys strong emotions associated with internal reflection and personal growth. Through the use of metaphors and symbolism, it effectively evokes feelings of helplessness and pain that the narrator experiences throughout the story.

The song begins with a sense of desperation and emotional suffering, represented by the line "Every night gets worse, bleeding on the floor." Here, the protagonist is experiencing internal pain and a feeling of being broken, depicted by the metaphor of “bleeding on the floor”. He expresses his desire to fix himself but also feels that it is not enough to meet the needs of his counterpart, as mentioned in the line "But you need more."

This last line highlights the uncertainty of how far the protagonist should go to please his counterpart, but it explains that he is committed to change and become someone new due to the intense love he feels: "I swear to god, I'll change for you, I swear to god I'll be someone new, I'll do what I need to do." These lines convey the narrator's determination and commitment to improve and meet the other person's expectations, even being open to facing the consequences that this may bring.

One of the most iconic lines in this song is: "My future isn't free, things aren't that easy, maybe maybe maybe, in the morning you'll love me." It suggests that the protagonist is unsure if their efforts will be enough to earn the love and acceptance of his partner, indicating that love can often blind us, and even can lead us to leave everything behind without knowing the final outcome.

Musical Analysis.

Musically, "Swear to God" is a song that feels very vibrant right from the start. The song begins with an incredible guitar sound that creates an immersive atmosphere, through the use of reverberation effects that transport us into the song and evokes a sense of intimacy in the listener.

The guitar chord progression that kicks off the song can be appreciated with spectacular clarity, as they are well-defined through the use of palm muting technique, providing the perfect entrance to Kristopher's flawless lead vocals. Kristopher showcases his skill and talent through sustained notes and impressive vibrato technique at the end of each phrase. His voice has a wide vocal range and a smooth timbre that effortlessly transitions between high, medium, and low frequencies. Furthermore, his distinctive voice has a natural grit that evokes reminiscences of rock eminences like the unforgettable Chris Cornell of Audioslave.

Right from the beginning of the song, Kristopher introduces some harmony arrangements, demonstrating his incredible falsetto technique. These harmonies accompany Kristopher's lead vocals throughout the song, where he freely plays with harmonies in the third vocal and even in certain sections like the bridge of the song, multiple voices can be heard through the performance of independent vocal lines that blend harmoniously.

Kristopher's ability to arrange vocals with such freedom reminds us of the ensemble performance of string instruments like the violin, showcasing the singer's versatility and extensive musical knowledge, as well as his ability to bring his instrumental influences into his vocal performance.

On the other hand, it's worth mentioning how the percussion in the song complements the strumming of the acoustic guitar perfectly. The drums utilize its full dynamic range to mark the changes between sections, making the instrumental mix feel very lively”. There are also some string arrangements where, surprisingly, an electric guitar makes an appearance, joining the fingerpicking of the acoustic guitar. These elements are skillfully placed in the stereo field, allowing exceptional clarity on both ends (right and left channels).

Relevance and Legacy.

This song is an incredible composition, not only because it showcases exceptional vocal and instrumental performance by the artist, or because it addresses such a powerful theme through its verses and lyrics, but also because of the way it communicates its message.

What's remarkable about "Swear to God" is that, unlike other songs that touch on similar themes and rely on positive phrases or direct advice, it doesn't simply tell us how we should act or what is the right thing to do or feel. Instead, it authentically and honestly delves into the depths of the distressing emotions we experience at certain moments, creating a direct impact on the listener and allowing them to recognize for themselves when it is necessary to break free from detrimental situations.

"Swear to God" transcends conventions and offers a unique musical and emotional experience. It prompts us to reflect and enables us to become aware on our own perception of when it is necessary to let go of what is harming us, serving as a powerful reminder to realize the importance that lies in our own identity and authenticity.