On the cusp of letting yourself go and walking aimlessly into the void, while looking for some sort of resolution to your inner problems, is a task. Breaking through to a promising scenario where everything shines like a beacon, could happen, but it rarely does, in such a broken world. But forming bonds with people who will drag you away from decay and nightmares will honestly help, and you could be saved from crossing the divide.
Trophy Eyes released an album in 2023, which broke boundaries, and catapulted the band into a more commercial circuit, though the band still stuck to their roots. A sobering record, Suicide And Sunshine, wasn’t only a record of significance for the act, it confirmed that they were hurting and calling out for peace and hope.
One song on the record, ‘Sean,’ showed the band were completely broken by the suicide of their friend. Such a cathartic track, it showed lead singer John Floreani in such a vulnerable position, singing from his heart and using his lyrical brilliance. While he sang, you could almost picture the lump in his throat.
‘Sean’ was mesmerising and unnerving, and it carried on the theme of the record in such a morose manner. Beautifully constructed, it had all the components to be a ballad of the century, even though it dealt with death. At moments, the song rose into a musical behemoth, but then it began to subside into a calmer state.
Lyrically, it naturally showcased Floreani’s creative wordplay, pushing his talents to the front of sombreness. The singer drafted in this significant text:
The message that you left on the mirror by your bed came through You apologized again like you did too often And this time it’s not alright but I forgive you
This segment shows that Floreani forgave his friend and wanted him to re-patch his own life. Throughout the track, there was writing like this; words that shocked but provoked responses.
Also, this piece of lyricism shook the people who chose to read on:
And I keep thinking you’re gonna walk up those stairs Smiling, running your fingers through your hair. And no one here’s said a lot since you did what you did ‘Cause if we don’t talk, then you’re not really dead.
Suicide And Sunshine dealt with themes many people didn’t want to talk about, but Trophy Eyes rallied themselves and spoke openly about the subject. Their talent seemed to have gained another level, and the album they created resonated wholeheartedly. For some, ‘Sean’ is difficult to listen to, but it managed to create talking points, which, in truth, is valuable, especially in these modern times.