Unlike his previous album, Pablo Lavins' "Anxiety Relief" features a much more complete instrumentation, thanks to the inclusion of musical instruments such as drums, electric guitar, bass, and piano, as well as classical string instruments such as cello and violin present in his album "Old New Year's Drinks".
In terms of vocals, the artist's performance is much more impressive, showcasing his voice in different timbres and tones and utilizing various vocal techniques that further define his own sound and display his virtuosity as an interpreter and composer.
"Anxiety Relief" includes 15 tracks, each with a different essence, but all in perfect symbiosis with the album as a unique concept. Each song explores different themes but with a nostalgic touch, referencing past sensations and moments that fluctuate between complete happiness and utter desolation.
Track-by-track Review
"Take Me to Your Train" - Take me to your train" by Pablo Lavins is a romantic styled song that captures the essence of desire and passion. The lyrics portray a woman who exudes confidence and charm, and the singer is entranced by her presence. The song presents poetic images to describe the narrator's infatuation with a vain and beautiful woman. The song structure is divided into an introduction, two verses, and a chorus that is repeated several times.
The lyrics use literary techniques such as repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the song. For example, the repetition of the line "Awaiting a kiss the lips are smiling" in both verses helps reinforce the narrator's infatuation. The alliteration in the line "Resting into her garden below the sun" creates a soft and melodic sound that fits with the romantic tone of the song.
The image of the woman with multicolored clothing shining under the sun in the first verse creates a sense of beauty and elegance. The description of how she rests in her garden under the sun in the second verse adds an element of tranquility and relaxation to the song.
The chorus "Take me to your train" is a simple yet effective line that reinforces the narrator's infatuation and desire to follow the woman wherever she goes. The repetition of this line also helps create a catchy hook that the listener can easily sing and remember.
"Take me to your train" is a romantic and poetic song that uses imagery and literary techniques to create a feeling of infatuation and obsession. The simplicity of the melody and lyrics make it accessible and easy to remember for the listener, while the combination of classic chords and literary techniques creates a sense of depth and emotion in the song.
"Spy, look there" - The song seems to be talking about the search for something meaningful, excitement, and adventure. The lyrics are very poetic, using images and metaphors to create a mysterious atmosphere and suggesting that the singer is on a journey to discover something important to him.
"Spy look there!", which is a call to action for the listener and suggests that there is something important to discover, but it is not easy to see at first glance. There is also a recurring idea of hidden secrets and memories that can disappear at any moment.
Regarding the poetic structure of the song, repetition is used in the chorus to reinforce the idea that the singer wants the listener to be part of his search for something meaningful. In addition, there is a constant use of images and metaphors, such as rain in the sun, burning cards, cracks in reality, among others.
The song invites the listener to join in this search and not settle for what is seen at first glance, but to look beyond the obvious.
Birdman - In "Birdman," the singer refers to the character from the animated television series of the same name, which aired in the 1960s. Birdman was a superhero who could fly and had superhuman strength, and he fought against various villains to save the world. The song seems to draw inspiration from the character, portraying him as a sort of hero who can come to our aid when we feel alone and in need of love. The repetition of the phrase "When somebody knows his real name" suggests that Birdman has a true name that only a few know, adding an element of mystery and fascination to his character.
The image of comets crossing the starry sky suggests that Birdman has a universal presence and can help people from all over the world.
The artist acknowledges that even though the animated series only had one season and was not widely successful, the superhero portrayed in it held great significance in his childhood because he was captivated by the superhero's superhuman abilities from a young age, even when the TV show did not achieve sufficient popularity. As one of the artist's beloved cartoons, this song serves as a heartfelt tribute to the superhero.
All Days - "All days" is one of the most melancholic songs on the album. In it, the singer talks about love and the constant need he has for his beloved. A feeling that can make us all feel identified at some point in our lives during a romantic relationship.
The lyrics are composed of a series of short and simple phrases that highlight the importance of the loved one in the singer's life. From a technical point of view, the lyrical composition is relatively simple, with short phrases and a clear and constant rhythmic structure. The repetition of the phrase "all days" emphasizes the importance and constancy of the singer's love for his partner. The use of simple rhymes and the repetition of key words such as "sweet" and "smile" is also notable.
Despite the simplicity of the lyrics, there are some phrases that stand out for their complexity. For example, the line "my despair makes me write awkwardly" suggests that the singer writes about his love in a state of emotional despair, adding a layer of depth and complexity to the lyrics. The line "how I long that of days of yore" is also interesting, suggesting a longing for a past time when the singer's love was more intense or easier to maintain.
"All days" is a very emotional song that highlights the importance of constant love and emotional need between two lovers.
If Huckleberry Hound - Like in the song "Birdman," this song also mentions a cartoon that the singer describes as one of his childhood favorites. Huckleberry Hound is a blue anthropomorphic hound with a kind, loyal, clever, and relaxed personality. He is a character that reflects the optimism of always looking for the positive side of things.
In this song, the singer emphasizes that if we all followed Huckleberry Hound's attitude, things would be much better in our daily lives. For example, in the line "if huckleberry hound was gone to dark side of the moon surely the wars wouldn't stop," the singer poses the hypothesis that without this type of relaxed and optimistic behavior, wars and conflicts would not cease. This idea refers to the idea that unity and solidarity could stop conflicts.
Musically speaking, "If Huckleberry Hound" has a structure that splits the song into three sections; an initial section with a catchy rhythm, then a slow section in which the equalization of the song changes radically to a more vintage and opaque sound (typical of radio broadcasts from the 60s), and then again a fast section (callback to the first section) that gives the perfect ending to the song.
In the Life - The song "In the life" by Pablo Lavins talks about the importance of leaving behind worries and focusing on enjoying the present. The lyrics refer to how worries can ruin our lives if we give them too much importance and how it is better to live in the moment and enjoy the little things.
The song uses a metaphor of a train to represent life, where worries and fears are loaded onto the wagon of problems and glories and dreams are loaded onto the wagon of distant dreams. The singer talks about how we should never follow the path of pain and sorrow and how we should distance ourselves from those negative emotions to be free.
The song also refers to the importance of music and how it can help us overcome difficult moments in life. It speaks of how music can be a form of escape from worries and how music can make us feel happy and alive.
In summary, "In the life" is a song that invites us to live in the present moment, leave worries behind and enjoy the good things in life, and find happiness in music and in the small moments of life.
The Rickenbacker of Dabadalula - The song "The Rickenbacker of Dabadalula" by Pablo Lavins appears to be a poetic lyric without a clear story or defined theme. However, it seems to describe a summer scene in which a woman named Sally experiences troubles in her mind, but then feels better when summer arrives and the music of a Rickenbacker instrument sounds in the park.
The lyrics also refer to the idea that people are too concerned about time and that their minds are eclipsed by a black hole. The music of the Rickenbacker instrument and the image of a naked person in the grass seem to be symbolic images representing a kind of freedom and happiness amidst the worries and darkness of life.
"The Rickenbacker of Dabadalula" is a song that combines a mix of images and emotions that suggest an idea of overcoming problems and seeking happiness in music and moments of freedom and joy.
In musical terms, this is a song in which the cello, an instrument in which Pablo Lavins is an expert, has a very strong presence. Here, the artist showcases his skills using different playing techniques such as “pizzicato” and long “Glissandos”.
My Buggy - In this song, the singer talks about his love and connection with his vehicle, which he refers to as "buggy". The lyrics say that he had never had his own buggy before, but now he has one and is enjoying it in the hills, where he can see the flashes on his road.
The song also mentions that his love for the buggy beats in his heart and that when someone smiles, he feels happy and thinks that love is great. Overall, the song seems to be a celebration of possessing something that is highly desired and an expression of joy and happiness.
It's been a wonderful day - This is one of the happiest and most optimistic songs on the album. Unlike the others, it has a chord progression that gives the listener a sense of calm, happiness, and satisfaction. Likewise, its lyrics talk about how much the singer appreciates the happy day referred to in the song and longs to feel the same way again in the near future. This refers to the fact that happy days are fewer in number than dull ones, and therefore the singer yearns to feel as he did on that day.
Its lyrical composition reflects that a happy day feels like a suspended moment in time, which is memorable and requires paying attention to the small details that life gives us in those moments. For example, in the phrase "blueberries every single day," it refers to this point through symbolic images of nature and freshness.
A Wolf On The Road - The song "A wolf on the road" by Pablo Lavín is an emotional reflection on loneliness and waiting after the loss of love. The lyrics express the feeling of abandonment that the person feels when their love suddenly leaves, leaving them alone on a dark road. The repetitive chorus "always waiting for you like a wolf on the road" suggests that the person feels like a lonely and lost animal, always in search of their love.
The musical composition of the song is also notable, with the presence of pianos and cellos that demonstrate the influence of classical music on the artist. The first verse describes a bitter moment in a hallway, where the feeling of abandonment of love is sudden and intense. In contrast, the second verse describes a calmer scene, where the rain soaks the love and the surrounding nature, which can symbolize the rebirth or renewal of love.
The chorus talks about the difficulty of loneliness and waiting, and how the person feels lost on a dark and lonely road, like a wolf in the night. The verse "faint... close to your body all my schemes fall down in silver lakes" describes a fall in the presence of the loved one, as if all plans and schemes crumble when being close to him or her.
The verse "death laid his grave on my distant mind with his sickle" suggests that the person feels in a state of death or emotional pain, as if death had reached their mind. The verse "once, in our bedroom we planned years of a life of happiness" talks about past plans and hopes with the loved one, but that have been destroyed by winter, which symbolizes a cold and desolate time.
"A Wolf on the Road" is an emotional song that speaks of the pain and loss of love. The poetic and emotional lyrics, combined with the influence of classical music in the composition, effectively convey the feeling of loneliness and waiting that is felt when love is lost.
Hallelujah Under the Sun - This song talks about the mythical figure of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. The lyrics describe how Poseidon is alone and abandoned in the ocean, despite his great power and presence in Greek mythology. Through evocative imagery, the song portrays the beauty of the sea and its fauna, but also its strength and danger.
The song focuses on Alice, a character who does not know the true nature of Poseidon and his relationship with the sea. It also references the sirens, mythological creatures that sing when the tide goes out. The lyrics express a feeling of admiration and respect for nature, but also of nostalgia and loneliness.
I Want to Drink With You - EIn "I Want to Drink with You," a different theme is explored. The singer speaks about the idea of enjoying youth and life through sharing a drink and seeking new experiences.
The lyrics express a desire to share those moments with someone else, and to get lost along the way regardless of the consequences. Through poetic imagery, the song describes the feeling of being trapped in an illusory state and the need to escape reality.
The song features a structure typical of English indie rock, with a distorted electric guitar and a strong, percussive drumbeat that gives it a garage feel. This demonstrates the artist's versatility in composing in different styles.
Farewell - The song "Farewell" by Pablo Lavins explores the theme of lost love and the need to move on. The lyrics describe the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of failures and sadness, but also speak of the hope of finding a new beginning. Through poetic images, the song presents the idea that although goodbye may seem inevitable, it can be a positive change.
The musical composition of the song has touches of English folk, with a large number of acoustic instruments that give it a warm and melancholic touch. Pablo Lavins' deep voice gives the song emotional depth.
"Farewell" is a song about lost love and the hope for a new beginning, with a musical composition that evokes English folk and a unique and emotive voice.
Viva el Cometa - The song "Viva el cometa" by Pablo Lavins presents a theme of nostalgia and friendship, but also of the excitement of discovering the unknown. The lyrics evoke memories of a time when friends gathered to witness the arrival of Halley's comet and embarked on a journey to Mars on the spaceship "Scooby". The song also speaks of the feeling of being a hero in the present, of the excitement of living life to the fullest and exploring new places and experiences.
The lyrical composition of "Viva el cometa" is full of poetic imagery and wordplay that create a feeling of euphoria and enthusiasm. For example, the line "we all say goodbye to him/on the spaceships 'scooby' we all land on mars" plays with the idea of farewell and adventure in the same verse. In addition, the repetition of the phrase "viva el cometa" creates a sense of unity and celebration among friends.
The lyrics of "Viva el cometa" are a mix of nostalgia, friendship, adventure, and excitement, with poetic imagery and wordplay that evoke a feeling of euphoria and enthusiasm.
Samuel Shade - "Samuel Shade" is the last track on the album. It was originally not going to be part of the song list but ended up being included as a bonus track. In "Samuel Shade," Pablo Lavins performs the song solely with his guitar and voice. It was recorded in one take in an unplugged recording.
"Samuel Shade" is one of the most emotionally charged tracks on the album. The song holds a deep personal significance for Pablo Lavins as it was written in honor of one of his closest childhood friends. They had lived together for years until his friend's alcoholism became a severe issue, and Lavins found it distressing to witness his friend's gradual deterioration. Despite his efforts to intervene, he was powerless to break his friend's addiction. As a tribute to their friendship and a reflection of his own emotional journey, Lavins wrote "Samuel Shade" with raw honesty and vulnerability, offering listeners a glimpse into his innermost feelings.