Broken

sunset sky broken

Broken is a dance track leaning heavily into synthpop and infused with -gasp!- deep sincerity. It’s moody, introspective and has its own vibe. I hope you enjoy. Released on Spotify May 12, 2023

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Sunset Sky – Broken

Broken took a long time. It reflects everything learned this far about mixing and some experimentation. Getting drums under control is one of the more challenging aspects of mixing and although it’s not 100 percent perfect, the dynamic pump you need in a dance track is present. I was listening to Eric Prydz and could not understand how he made his kick and snare sound like they were in love with each other. And realized even though the kick is on all four beats, it would give way to the snare, so tried a few things. Mr. Prydz still has some secrets up his sleeve but I strongly recommend you listen to him -or Deadmau5 for that matter- when it comes to drum compression, side chain, eq and all that.

More on Production

The other tool I played with was the Enveloper on snare. It can give more punch, attack or timed reverb to help mesh it with the kick. So I try not to complicate things too much with all the available tools, but it seemed to help where the basic eq and compression couldn’t. Or, at least where my skill is at the moment!

Anyway, I really hope you enjoy. It’s a heartfelt song and the sincerity is real. We are all a little broken and you know – that’s ok.

For those of you who would enjoy a deeper dive:

“Broken” is an introspective song that reflects on the struggles and challenges faced in life. The lyrics paint a picture of hardship and is now contemplating the aftermath of choices. The song explores themes of self-reflection, acceptance, and the unpredictable nature of existence.

Intro and First Verse

The opening lines capture reflection and contemplation, looking back on life and the wreckage left behind. There’s a realization that you can adapt and do whatever it takes to navigate through difficult circumstances.

Chorus

The chorus emphasizes the contrasting nature of life, acknowledging that some things are destined to break and cannot be repaired. Suggesting that certain experiences or emotions are not meant to be openly expressed, implying hidden pain or vulnerability.

Second Verse

The verses continue to delve into the existential questions to grapple with. They express uncertainty about their purpose and struggle to understand why certain things happen. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration, as they acknowledge that rhyme or reason cannot always provide answers for the brokenness encountered.

The song also touches upon the indifference of the universe and the passage of time. It hints at the dichotomy between those who let go of their pain and those who feel trapped by it, symbolized by being held by the throat.

Bridge

The bridge serves as a turning point in the song, revealing a newfound awakening and acceptance. Acknowledging that the answers lie within the sunset skies, representing the beauty and inevitability of life’s cycles. It’s a realization that hiding from one’s truth is no longer necessary now that that one is awake and aware.

Conclusion

“Broken” is a soulful track that delves into the complexities of life, brokenness, and personal growth. It explores the universal themes of accepting the unchangeable and finding strength in self-discovery.

Broken – Lyrics

Looking at the life i’ve had

the wreckage in its wake

maybe i’m thinking overtime

learned to do what it takes

i don’t know exactly why i’m here

don’t know why i choke

rhyme or reason won’t answer why

some things just get broke

some things are meant to be broken

and some things aren’t meant to be spoken

the universe is indifferent

only time will tell

why some decide to let it go

while others get held by the throat

some things are meant to be broken

and some things aren’t meant to be spoken

and some things are just broken

the answer’s in these sunset skies

there’s never an escape

but i no longer need to hide

now that i’m awake

Like this? Also listen to Island and Human Touch

Island

Island Sunset Sky

Island is a slinky, low-key dance track that will slip under your boogie radar at first but then – wham! – you’re dancing. Experience it.

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Sunset Sky – Island

This is the most technically accomplished track yet. The EQ and side chain coordination is getting better. The kick works with the bass and there is a definite pump effect that was needed to drive the song. It took while to get right, but all the parts work well with each other, and… it’s a good song!

I also like how it sneaks up on you with its build, much like an ocean current.Listen for yourself and enjoy.

Island Lyrics

you are an island

unto yourself

below the water

a deep ocean shelf

i have a notion

there’s always more

than all the memories

washing ashore

but what does it all mean

tell me everything

holding on to time

what will you share with me

there is a lighthouse

calling at night

broken by the weather

but still offering light

ignoring warnings

we’re sailing on

beyond safe harbor

to the great beyond

well what does it all mean

are you whispering 

holding on for life

what will you share with me

you are an island

unto yourself

below the water

a deep ocean shelf  

what does it all mean

can you breathe a word

waiting on the waves

the night is listening 

what does it all mean

there isn’t any fear

can you tell me more

before we disappear

Also listen to Midnight Calls and Cold Outside

Hold Me

Hold Me Sunset Sky

Hold Me is an electronic track inspired by a recent series. Won’t say which one, but the sound is very much in line with the mood it evoked but with an additional twist of upbeat honesty.

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Sunset Sky

Hold Me was difficult. Didn’t know where to take it or where it was going and then BAM! it happened. A few tracks of additional and very subtle percussion moved it along, and allowed the chorus to soar. I didn’t think this one would make it out of the gate, but here we are. For producers, side chain and vocal compression is a bit loose so be kind.

I really hope you enjoy.

Hold Me Lyrics

can you hold me

don’t belong here

felt this way my whole life

i only want to

feel connection

is there still any time

i’ve found a place that

we can lie down

we can call it our own

just want to be still

as you hold me

don’t want to be on my own

restful moment

in the shade tree

watching the skies above

hold me tightly 

as i leave here

never stop being in love

can you see it now

the clouds have no rain

watch the birds in flight

i finally feel no pain

can you hold me

don’t belong here

felt this way my whole life

see so clearly now

can you see the light

the sparrow on the ground

as we say goodbye

can you see it now

the clouds have no rain

watch the birds in flight

i finally feel no pain

can you see it now

the clouds have no rain

we’ll watch the birds in flight

i finally feel no pain

Also listen to The Bet and Midnight Calls

The Bet

the bet sunset sky

The Bet is an indie dance track that leans a little more on the darker side and clocks in at an economical 2:47. Let’s get to it!

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The Bet – Sunset Sky

The Bet came together quick, with minimal production. For the producers out there, you will hear sidechain compression being used for the first time to distinguish the plucks, bass and kick. Overall, there didn’t need to be much added to it. With less going on, the simplicity feels cleaner than some other productions.

I hope you enjoy!

The Bet Lyrics

i meant to tell you

don’t mind it alone

what cards am i holding

as you look at your phone

now you say you’re calling

did you check out my tell

want to know if i’m folding

have you put down your bet

all i wanted 

all i needed

was to light a fire

this round is tiring

dealer called your name

want to raise the stakes again

but your hand has been played

all i wanted 

all i needed

was to light a fire

all i needed

all i wanted 

was tangled in my desire

thought i wanted 

thought i needed

promises from a liar

Also listen to Cold Outside and Midnight Calls

Midnight Calls

Midnight Calls Sunset Sky

Midnight Calls is a lovely track that has a haunting blend of melody and driving beat. It is strongly suggested you include it in your sonic explorations! (:

BANDCAMP

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Midnight Calls by Sunset Sky

Midnight calls is a track near and dear to my soul. The vision, the bass, all of it came together surprisingly well. I even resisted overdoing the drums, instead opting for a more low-key early ’80s new wave driving beat.

If you ever have experienced a dream that wove memories and new interactions, with something familiar, yet strange and mysterious, this is the song for you. I hope you enjoy.

Midnight Calls Lyrics

had a dream i went outside

you were waiting in the haze

driving through a lonely night

tracing raindrops on the pane

reminiscent of my old town

where the hills and bridges collide

passing by the darkened beach

but don’t know where we’ll be tonight

when you receive a midnight call

streetlights are flashing off and on

bouncing off the city’s fog

setting fire to the siren’s song

guided to our destination

as the voices fall ashore

waking stars at 2am

where i know we met before

how do i get home again

before it fades to gray

i know it’s been, a little while

can you help me find my way

playing back the scenes again 

and it’s killing me today

how do i get home again

as the city fades to gray

i know it’s been, a little while

can you help me find my way

i need to burn those memories

i can’t go back in time

even as you fade away

know that you were never mine

You were never mine

Like it? Listen to Human Touch and Truth

Truth

Truth Sunset Sky

Truth is a new dance pop song for your listening and other activities pleasure. Turn it up. The chorus slaps.

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Sunset Sky – Truth

Truth was fun and painful to make. Critical thinking is important to me and yet, so many choose to believe the narrative that works best for them. I don’t understand that. You are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to listen to others. Disagreement is absolutely part of the deal. But to just believe what you like to hear versus thinking about it, well, it gets tiring.

I know I can be wrong. I wish the same for others.

Enjoy and seriously, the chorus is catchy as hell. Maybe you need to play it for someone in your life.

Truth lyrics

lyrics are for the chorus only – the transcript for the entire dialogue would go for paragraphs

I know it’s hard to swallow

but you might not be right

please understand its not about you

just a small insight

I know it’s hard to swallow

but you might not be right

please understand its not about you

just a small insight

i hope your world view

allows for a second thought

and standing in others shoes

because you might be wrong

not trying to be a hero 

but you might not be right

it might not be all about you

just another side

i hope another story

allows for a little pause

standing in others’ shoes

hope you heard this song

Listen to Drowning and Thank You

Drowning

Drowning artwork Sunset Sky

Drowning is about as close to emo as Sunset Sky has ever been. If you are in a bad place right now, please do not listen.

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Drowning – Sunset Sky

Drowning sat in limbo for quite a while. Didn’t know what to do with it. When lyrics came, i just couldn’t finish it. It felt dark. Real, but dark.

It’s an interesting place to be as someone who doesn’t make music for a living. Artists are expected to share emotions as raw as possible. Many do not have to consider how work acquaintances might view it. I’m constantly torn between my professional life and creating music. What can I say. I think about it and really wish I didn’t.

I’v had instances where folks assumed I was writing about them specifically. That’s never the case. Although artists all know we base our art on observations, it’s usually a composite of a lot of different feelings, events, visuals, etc., not just one thing. If that makes sense, great. You are an artist.

I hope you enjoy Drowning. I had a hard time making it, and again, if you are having a hard time right now, best to leave it alone.

Drowning Lyrics

edging towards the water

step by step begin to see

undercurrent always beckoning

does it never seem to leave

bleak secrets of night whisper

fill your pockets full of sand

as you feel cold arms around you

as the darkness holds your hand

oh god im drowning 

oh god i’m hurting

so numb and hear the calling

been fighting demons for so long

there’s nothing here but desperation

why does sinking not feel wrong

oh god im drowning 

oh god i’m hurting

do you hear the calling

from sea to darkened sea

does anything really matter

does it matter at all to me

wait

what about the times we’ve had

what about the things we’ve shared

summer nights in our backyard

how in hell we got to here

oh the things that you have seen 

wont you share them all with me

running desert skies in sun

that’s another day to see

Also listen to Thank You and The Road

Wake Up

Sunset Sky Wake Up

Wake Up! Haha. Seeing if you were paying attention. Wake Up is about your dreams, hopes, music and listening to them.

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Sunset Sky – Wake Up

Life can get stressful. An immediate escape is music and occasionally a dream. Sometimes dreams can have such an effect, when you wake up, you want to return to that world. At times, it is a completely different universe with endless opportunities to explore and many times your mind attempting to make sense — in a surreal environment — of whatever is on your mind. Then there are the dreams that are so lovely that when you wake up the real world and its problems seem… depressing. I guess the point is that music and dreams can represent hope and it’s important to acknowledge. Those worlds also seem to exist in a different dimension and to diminish them as imaginary would be a tragedy.

Wake Up – Lyrics

was it all a dream

where we had everything

or it’s another day

waking up to nothing

can imagine the night  

enveloped in azure lights

a diamond setting sun

and we want for nothing

clouds begin to spread

skies melt overhead

we’re where we need to be

and it’s finally happening

oh god let’s wakeup

oh it’s time to wake up

time to get up

all the dreams are killing me

was it all in my head

thinking our dreams were dead

visions with perspective

not waking up to nothing

oh it’s time to wake up

time to get up

all the dreams are killing me

oh when we wake up

don’t be afraid to reach for

all the dreams that we have seen

oh it’s time to wake up

time to get up

all these dreams are reality

Listen to October and listen to It’s Time + Thank You

Listen to October

Listen to October

Listen to October is the dance song for those who embrace the fall and cooler weather.

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Listen to October by Sunset Sky

What to write about this track? I think the plucks underneath the “listen” part is what I woke up to one morning. I had no idea what to do with it for a while. Then it started coming together. Wanted to capture the indifference of changing seasons while still remaining hopeful, even as the days get darker. I hope you enjoy.

Listen to October Lyrics

standing on the precipice

a feeling over time

edges eroding below

this was never mine

the waves are always crashing in

can’t see beyond the tide

let the current pull you in

the answers are inside

ocean swells so mightily

carries me away

another journey without an end

as night turns into day

the other side is calling me

fleeting words to say

ravaged waves of my embrace

as i let it wash away

listen to october

listen to the sea

all i have is a photograph

scattered to the wind

torn to pieces over time

this is where it ends

all i have is a photograph

scattered to the sun

finding pieces of our lives

do they matter to anyone

feeling so insignificant

when looking up above

doesn’t mean nothing matters here

that our lives are meaningless

Also listen to It’s Time and Thank You

It’s Time

It's Time Image

It’s Time is another pretty good dance track. You should listen to it. Maybe even dance.

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Sunset Sky

Fun, short and danceable. Yay. A little bit of escapism for you. Go. Be free.

It’s Time Lyrics

feels so right to get it all outside

tried too hard to keep in all my life

past the t… to let it all come out

t… to give yourself the room to shout

-it’s time-

never meant to run away and hide

never meant to ignore other sides

now is the t… you’re coming out to play

can’t believe its going to start today

-it’s t…!- 

maybe its a second chance

to let it all go and dance

baby you’ve come so far 

-t… to let them know who you are

this is your second chance

to let it all go and dance

baby you’ve come so far 

-t… to tell them all who you are

Also listen to Dance and Thank You

On a slightly related note – have you ever visited on of those recipe blogs, only to have to sort through a life story’ worth of content before you can find the actual item you’re looking for? Blame it on Toast SEO or, just at SEO practices in general. It literally tells you that your page will not rank well if you don’t include at least 300 words! Which isn’t really true BTW. Not many folks visit the site regardless. (: But seriously, folks want to get right to the point and so do I, dear reader. That’s why I am writing a bunch of garbage at the END of this post. I really do hope you enjoy “It’s Time” but I am not egotistical enough to think you also really want to read a bunch of verbal filler before getting to it.