In This Together

I have the had chance to have a few conversations with Luke otherwise known as L.J.P. and I have enjoyed each one. It is quite easy to tell that music started playing a major part in his life when he was young, and it has only become more integral as he has gotten older. He infuses the experience and knowledge he has gained along the way brilliantly into his music. Even more so than usual I wish that I had more than an elementary understanding of music theory so that I could comment on all the magnificent musical twist and turns this album takes. The collaboration album In This Together has a cohesiveness to it that is impressive; I am amazed by the way all styles of these different come to together so spectacularly. I tried once listening to this album in a random order and it just did not feel the same; there was a something I got when listening to the album in the intended order that was not there otherwise, I cannot really explain it.

There are four words that you can find Luke’s Bandcamp page & his Spotify profile: “Music first. Poetry second.” I would caution that you do not take these words the wrong way. This in no way should be taken to mean that you will not find some spectacularly crafted tales within his lyrics. In fact, my impression is that much time and effort is taken to ensure the lyrics are saying exactly what is intended.

Support this album directly on Bandcamp, see tracks from the album discussed and other splendid tracks performed live on Twitch. You can also find the album on Spotify.

In This Together

〰️

In This Together 〰️

As I have listened to his album in the past month since its release there have been four tracks that have left a lasting impression; I have found myself thinking about them at times throughout me day when I am not even listening to music or listening to other music. For me, these tracks come together to form two groups each talking about themes and concepts that relate to each other.

Here For You

The connection I see between these first two tracks I am discussing “Here For You” & “Some Say” is something I entirely fabricated in my mind and now I just cannot stop thinking about them together. I do not know that there is actually any connection between them.

 “Here For You” is a deeply moving tale of unrequited love. It is about that someone you have had in your life that you just cannot help but be entranced by. You have told yourself repeatedly you should stop, it is probably a mostly one-sided relationship. This person calls you day or night and you are there for them because you cannot help yourself. You hope beyond hope that one day they will see in you what you have seen in them all along. You see this person in relationships that do not end well, and you know you would treat them better given the chance.

 Wouldn't be a lonely night

If you had me by your side

Wouldn't be a sad day

If you took my name

I'm your Mr.Right

But maybe not just yet

So until then

I'm here for you

I'm always here for you

And when the night is through

I'll be there waiting for you

I enjoy the way that night in the context of the track could both mean the end of a particular day or the ending of an experience. Just emphasizing the fact that this person is not going anywhere regardless of the circumstance.

 And you been messin' with my friends

Tell me they don't understand

Why I'm here for you

All the time I'm here for you

And I've waited all this time

For you to look my way and change your mind

Cause I'm here for you

All the time I'm here for you

Some Say

The hopeless romantic in me created this narrative in which this track in a continuation of the previous song discussed. I really want to believe that the waiting and the time spent eventually paid off probably because it is contrary to my own experiences.

 So love me love me like you never had a choice

Love me like you never been with other boys

Love me love me like you never hurt before

Come one and love me like you never love me before this

 This track is so beautifully written, it is an absolutely wonderful song which presents this idea that when two people love each other unconditionally they can experience life in a way that is entirely different than what they have previously experienced. The past is no longer a concern as they find joy in what their life is now and nothing else matters.

Dirt Road Bound & The Witch & The Wolf

 No matter the specific circumstances many if not most people have at least one point in their life where they feel as if they are locked in a battle with themselves. A struggle against your inner demons; this part of yourself you feel you must hide from everyone else as they just could not accept you if they knew about it. Whether or not this is true. Both tracks in their own illustrate perfectly what this struggle feels like as they use different analogies to personify this struggle and the difficulties of dealing with such issues. There can be this feeling that there is no way out, no way to win these tracks get that point across quite well.

 Dirt Road Bound            

I'm headed on the highway

Leavin' it behind

Nothing is going my way

'Cause the devil is on my mind

 Don't try to hold me down

'Cause I'm dirt road bound

I ain't never comin' back

'Cause the devil's on my track

The Witch & The Wolf

Pushing through the madness

I'm feeling dark inside

Running through the forest cause I'm hiding from the light

Everybody is chasing me

I'm trying to survive

I'm the witch and I'm the wolf and I'm the storm that lies

Inside

I'm the storm that lies

Inside

I'm that witch and the wolf

I'm coming for you

I'm that witch and the wolf

And I'm the storm that lies inside of you

I'm laughing at the madness

Cause the darkness isn't real

I'm running for the fun of it

Cause it makes me feel

Everybody is chasing me

I'm trying to be free

From the witch and from the wolf

And from the storm that makes you see

Set you free

I especially enjoy the story that is told in this track. This feeling of being a ferocious feral beast and a raging storm creates a very distinct and real picture in my mind, it makes the whole idea of track relatable and powerful.

I have really enjoyed my time with this album, and I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys when there is a raw, real, and authentic feel present in the music they listen to as this album has an abundance of all those qualities throughout every track.