A lushly introspective single from California-based artist Somber Western, “You Hide It Well” ruminates on a decaying relationship with compelling yearning. “I’m heartbroken just thinking about you now,” the vocals admit as a retro-feeling mystique emits via the bubbly bass line and gently chiming guitars.
The “we keep crawling our way out,” sequence proves reflective of a stubbornness to let things fade entirely. This section resonates aptly into the “I think you love me,” apprehension, resonating in its portrayal of a painful crumbling. Rhythmic additions, underlying glistening, and sporadic guitars build the enthralling second half, admitting “it’s better to be broken than grow cold,” with spine-chilling reality and catharsis.
“This is a song about a relationship going cold and spiteful, despite the love that still exists beneath it all,” Somber Western explains. “The lyrics “it’s better to be broken than grow cold” allude to the idea that it’s better to separate than let a bad relationship go so long that you can’t even tell if you love each other anymore. But that’s easier said than done.”
—
This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of October 2023’ Spotify playlist.
