1. What do you find (musically) interesting?
2. What do you think this piece is about?
3. How does the composer develop the material

1. This song is a great example of how a very small amount of material can be used to huge effect. Coming in at just under five minutes in length, the same chord progression is used throughout with no deviation; this obsessiveness underpins the song’s intent while not distracting from the vocalist. Also interesting is the use of texture to build to a climax and create tension, where in a more traditionally composed work, this role may have been filled by the harmony. I think this is a seriously intense track, simple in its building blocks, yet complex in its construction.

2. It feels like cheating, answering this question for a song with actual lyrics – the meaning is front and centre, laid out for the listener, especially with such emotive words. The singer clearly misses his radio! But beyond that, the music has such a clear sense of build, climax and release that there is a definite therapeutic side to this song, with the singer screaming his lungs out (“and now I just sit in silence!”) before coming to a complete stillness. Sort of like punching a pillow to let your frustration out! That’s what this song is about for me – release!

3. I sort of looked at that in my answer to the first question – texture is the main tool for musical development. Layers of synths piling up, changes in the drum pattern and the use of dramatic silence all add to create a hugely varied soundworld. Its important when working with words to always consider how the music relates to it, and I think this song nails it!

Sam James