Single Review: Borderline by Lani Watson


Lani Watson's "Borderline" is a powerful track that uses a dramatic musical shift to mirror the escalating emotional crisis detailed in its lyrics. The song begins with a deceptive jazz-pop swing  that attempts to smooth over the initial lyrical anxiety: "You say get out but please stay / Make up your mind." This backdrop contrasts sharply with the words, highlighting the narrator’s attempt to live in denial of the "distastefully noncommittal" relationship. This early stage is defined by the frustrating paralysis of being caught in a loop of "Yes and no and / Stay and go and I’m paralyzed."

​As the song progresses, the emotional fatigue surfaces with the raw admission, "I’m calling out of work in a / A borderline psychosis / You pull the rug from under me / I’m getting tired." "Oh you’re never gonna change / Forcing me to play your game." The lyrics transition from describing the partner's actions ("Making rash decisions") to confronting the personal toll, setting the stage for the complete breakdown.

​The song culminates in a rock 'n' roll outro, which provides a cathartic release for the pent-up lyrical despair.  The final section fires off a desperate sequence of rhetorical questions that lay bare the profound betrayal: "How do you love someone / And walk away / How do you rebreak me / Still love yourself / How do you look at rings / And not mean a thing?" Lani Watson brilliantly uses the crushing rock finale as a vehicle for the lyrics, allowing the music to finally match the deep, unresolvable rage of being on the "borderline."




Stream Borderline here! 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Artist Interview: Shallo

Image
  Meet SHALLO, the Dublin-based duo composed of Shawn and Willow, blending alternative rock and metal with high-energy live performances. In this interview, they share the story behind their music, their creative process, and what's next for the band. Tori: Congrats on your new single “Betrayal”! Can you tell us about the story behind it and how it came together? Shawn: It began with me having an initial idea for most of the song. I knew what I wanted the lyrical theme to be, and the riffs and melodies followed that. Most of our songs begin with that anyway, and I record it all into my computer and send it off to Willow. Willow: When I got the first draft of the song, one of the first ideas I had was in the bridge. The original version that Shawn sent me did not have any vocals for the bridge, just the riff. Shawn straight up told me "Do something here". This gave me the space to come up with the bridge vocal part that thematically fit the song. Tori: What was the inspir...
Read more

Artist interview: Alex Haines

Image
  Today, chat with Alex Haines, a captivating artist whose journey in music began even before she could speak. From belting out "I'm a Little Teapot" in a high chair to crafting intricate melodic metal, Alex has forged a unique path as a self-producing musician. Join us as we delve into her earliest musical memories, the inspirations behind her powerful songwriting, and the pivotal moments that shaped her solo career, including her upcoming EP, "The Rain on Your Parade." Tori: Given your deep history with music, singing since before you could talk, what's your earliest memory of connecting with music on an emotional level? Alex: I’ll give you a few, since they all feel connected. My earliest memory is of sitting in a high chair, singing “I’m a Little Teapot” (replete with interpretive dance) while my parents cheered me on, like an audience watching a legitimate stage performance. It felt magical. Months later, I learned to walk while “California Dreamin” by ...
Read more

Artist Interview: Meiia

Image
With a sound that effortlessly fuses soul, pop, and funk, Australian artist Meiia is quickly carving out her place in the alt-pop world. Her upcoming single “Boys Like You” channels sharp-witted lyricism, bold grooves, and emotional honesty, all delivered with her signature vocal sass. In this interview, Meiia opens up about being ghosted (again), the thrill of collaboration, and what it means to find empowerment in hindsight. We caught up with her to talk about her creative process, growing up surrounded by stellar music, and the realities of navigating the music industry with humor, resilience, and a whole lot of heart. Tori: What inspired the creation of your upcoming single "Boys Like You," and what message do you hope listeners take away from the song? Meiia: This song was so fun to make! The topic, however, not so fun. The meaning behind it really came from being ghosted so many times for literally no reason at all. And then, like actual clockwork—they would always come...
Read more