I just realized the names of all the recent albums, Boreas, Eurus, and Notos are the patron Greek gods of the North wind, East wind, and south wind respectively which means all that's left is Zephyrus, the god of the west wind. Realizing this is perhaps one of the coolest things I've ever seen out of a band and makes me love The Oh Hellos even more.
you are... very late to the party but welcome nonetheless. you wanna know another cool thing? see the little bump in the circle behind the bear? there's a circle on every EP cover so far, and it's oriented like a compass int he four cardinal directions- it's just that said compass has been tilted counterclockwise like fifteen degrees. also, the animals that are present on the EP covers (the ep covers always have an animal but the singles always have a plant for some reason) are oriented in the opposite cardinal direction. in boreas, the bear is oriented on the lower part of the circle, towards south. in eurus the goose is flying west. in notos the firefly is facing north, and the new zephyr ep cover has the rabbit on the cover on the 'eastern' side.
@@idontneedaname318 I suppose that the compass seeming tilted might have to do with the difference between Earth's magnetic and geometric poles, which is about 11.5 degrees
What's more is that a lot of the songs in each album have lyrics that pertain to the season each god is linked to: Boreas, the north wind, is said to be responsible for cold air and the bringing of winter. Eurus, the east wind, brings autumn, Notos brings summer, and Zephyrus brings spring. Even in this song, the lyrics "no ice walls / no frozen firmament" pays a testament to Boreas' role as the winter bringer. If you look, you can find lyrics like this all over these four albums. The Oh Hellos really did their research with this project, and I'm so happy they did.
@@mudpuddles Atlas is the titan in mythology who holds the sky/earth on his shoulders. When Atlas, this hugely powerful god shrugs, who does it really affect? (Or that's my interpretation at least)
I like how Passerine is very much a realization about the fire from torches going out of control and Boreas is very much a reexamination of fire and its necessary role (and through fire, a reexamination of religion). Unlike the previous two albums, it's never given _explicit_ focus in the songs, but the titles and one-off lines clue us in. "A Kindling of Sorts," "Smoke Rising Like Lifted Hands," the line "In the end, all I hope for is to be a bit of warmth for you / when there's not a lot of warmth left to go around" reflect the slow return of fire, but it's in "Glowing" that this takes an interesting turn. This should be about fire, in the way that all the previous albums had songs about all of the four classical elements interacting. But Boreas is strangely dry in its refusal to invoke all of the elements; water and wind are largely absent, fire and earth are only briefly mentioned in "Boreas," and even then only in self-destructive ways. Glowing isn't about fire, despite light previously largely _only_ being associated with fire in these albums. "Glowing" is therefore replacing Fire's original purpose in the singer's life, which we learn in "Passerine" was to bring light. Instead, fire has been reconsidered as being for warmth and the light central to this song comes not from fire but from the achievements of the human listener struggling to learn to deal with what feels like the weight of the world - with the history and bad behavior of the past, and the refusal to complicitly shrug that weight off and force someone else to deal with it. And that light, that "glowing," is compared not to flame but to the moon. I just find that very interesting that the album ends on fire losing its previous purpose and gaining another after the album makes careful strides to show the "fire" is rekindling.
So I’m stupid but I did have a thought: What if fire is Christianity/Faith? in Torches, the fire is wielded by people trying to further toxic cycles, God and the Bible are being neglected and misused by prejudiced fundamentalist Christians, Passerine has the bit about “Fuel to the fire of that Greco Roman dream” once again, Christianity is spreading alongside toxicity, the fire itself isn’t the issue, the issue is those who are wielding/stoking it. Passerine is also a realization of sorts, and the aversion to the fire is soothed in this album. Once free from the toxic context, the fire brings warmth and, notably, light (big correlation with God right there). There is a desire to spread the fire once again, but this time it’s not because that’s just what’s done. It’s a genuine, personal desire to embody, to sweep up the forest floor. The life that comes after a fire, the concept of death (burning) leading to rebirth (the darker soil, the life breathed into the corners) is the essence of Christianity. I think I just figured it out.
Glowing also seems to be a call for help, a breaking point. The sounds of Morse code (fake or not) give a sense of helplessness, like needing someone to help carry you to the next destination
@@warriorcatskid003 I know your comment is old, but I think this is highly plausible if not the general meaning which just makes Oh Hellos lyrically talented in their layering of story telling throughout their 4 albums and songs. I just read a Biblical commentary on the 4 winds. Biblically the 4 winds are referenced to when there is a remarkable, unusual, or devastating event. This especially comes into play for Revelations 7:1-17: ""I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.” This use of the “four winds” is different than other references because the winds are being held back rather than being sent forth. The holding back of the four winds represents the whole theme of Revelation 7, which is a worshipful respite from the outpouring of God’s judgments. The four winds that had previously represented destruction and affliction on the earth now serve as the most moving and hope-filled promise from God for the protection of His people: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God” (verse 3), “and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (verse 17).""-GotQuestions
My girlfriend and I discovered The Oh Hellos a bit more than half a year ago. Ever since then, we've been obsessed. I would follow these people into battle, if they were into that sort of thing, and I think she feels the same. We've had the idea once we began following these incredible people that, whenever they released a new album, we'd experience it by listening to everything The Oh Hellos have written, in order, until we got here. This is the end of the line. I can't listen yet, because I told someone I love very much that I'd wait for her so we can do it together! If you'd be so kind though, could you give this some visibility? I'd love for her to find this message once we get here. To S: I love you, and I'm so glad we can experience this incredible music-making together. Update: she was very happy to see this, and what an amazing almost 3 hour audio journey that was! Thank you for your support!
I just realised that the thicker part of the circle in the album covers for Notus, Boreas and Eurus correspond to their cardinal direction of which they are gods. Notus, being the god of the south wind has the thicker part of the circle towards the bottom, Eurus, god of the east wind, has the thick part to the right, and Boreas, god of the north wind, has the part to the top. These guys are amazing, in both their sound, lyrics and symbolism, truly exceptional.
i have a feeling during the original design the thicker parts of a circle were more akin to e compass but then they thought that rotating it made it look better
@@idontneedaname318 Someone mentioned it might have something to do with the difference between Earth's geometric and magnetic poles, that difference being around 11.5 degrees, and the one on the album cover being somewhere around there.
“When Atlas shrugs, who’s back is breaking” Ohhhhhh mmyyyy goooddddd This hit this so much at 6am doing my shift at Tesco. Also loving the Anemoi and entire Hellenistic tone over the last few years.
Yeah, they’re definitely going for the theme of rebirth in this album, and Zephyr is going to be the one to tie them all together. Overall, this EP is all I could hope for, and it once again shows that the Oh Hellos cannot make a bad song!
@@virginiad.1911 Probably, but in a happy way. I think this is the "sad album" and Zephyrus is going to be 20 minutes of "Thus Always to Tyrants." That's going to be really powerful, if so.
@@wrenisprobablyb0red oh i dont think i could handle that.. i already nearly destroyed my kitchen after jamming to thus always to tyrants too hard if theres a whole album of that my house will fucking collapse
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Every hair on my body is standing straight up. I can't even explain what's going on in my brain right now... Music always fills my mind with images and sensations and even stories, but some songs are so alive that it takes a while to figure out what I'm seeing/feeling. Edit: here's some of what I hear: - A tundra of brown grass, patches of snow still melting away, with gray basalt chunks covered in orangish lichen - A river with shores of smooth gray pebbles - Frost-tipped mountains sitting silent on the horizons, beyond the forests, waiting - No one knows what's out there. That wilderness is unmapped, because no one who walks into the pines ever comes back - Many believe the world ends there, that all those missing explorers and pioneers simply fell off the edge - You never believed in such fairytales, of course - At least, not until your telegraph started tapping out a message from no one
They said on Twitter that it doesn't mean anything! More specifically they said this in reply to someone trying to figure it out - "This is impressive investigative work! But in truth, we weren’t intentionally spelling anything out because we felt like it might be too on the nose. That intro is us trying to capture the emotion of sending out a telegram into the ether, but it’s not actual code!" Don't waste your time lmao
I know this EP came out just a week ago, but I’m already looking forward to Zephyrus. This series tells a profound story, one that tackles themes of religion and interrogates the abuse of God’s name that inundates modern Christianity and chronicles the narrator’s journey to escape this corruption of faith. Notos is about asking questions, and the narrator begins to see cracks in their world. Eurus is about recognizing those issues and confronting them, and eventually realizing the flaws in the system and leaving it behind for something hopefully better. This EP, Boreas, is about the aftermath; dealing with leaving a toxic environment and coming to terms with a new life, culminating in a tone of quiet hope and rebirth after all of the strife that the narrator has been through. Zephyrus will be the final chapter, and there are basically two roads I can see it going down. It might be a triumphant reclamation of a better kind of faith, or it could be a sober reflection on the nature of belief and what happens when it leaves us. Either way, it’s going to be amazing, and I’ll probably cry.
A) this is an incredible take! B) sorry to bother you, but I saw your poem on rounds, and I’d love to use it for a novel I’m writing! If we could talk more about that I’d really appreciate it!
I think this song is about deciding whether or not to be selfish. The theme fits with Roses, deciding whether or not to give your heart away. A weight that could fold you and when Atlas shrugs, whose back is breaking are the two sides of the struggle. You might have to bury yourself to lift the world up. And “Atlas Shrugged” is a book that talks about the concept of selfishness (ie should you be out to help yourself? Is it better to do so?) I think this song argues that you can choose to do only what will get you ahead, but your responsibilities will only fall to someone else. I also think there is a theme of the church’s wrongdoings throughout the album. In Roses “change comes so easy to those of us already at the table” in my eyes is a reference to the higher ups in Christian denominational churches shifting the narrative when it suits them. Here, the last line about seeing yourself glowing is about seeing you’ve made the right choice. You see yourself as better for doing what you think is right. The whole album is so interesting to me and I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but god, I love it.
yea, i agree with that view, their albums have always embraced the idea of letting yourself change as a person with the times- from constellations to grow to this
Wow. This EP is probably The Oh Hellos’ best work yet. I just lied down and listened to it with my eyes closed. It was the most peaceful I’ve felt in a long time.
Make sure to do that again! Let the music take you away every now and then. Forget everything, and come to the land of harmony- in every sense of the word
I feel like this may not be their best work because it's still new- But it's definitely their best EP. It's also better than Through the Deep Dark Valley. Really I just think Dear Wormwood might be better? IDK.
Wesley Page I feel like the previous two EPs had some stronger individual songs (I like this EP a lot so far but I’m struggling to imagine myself liking any of the songs more than Grow or Passerine or Planetarium Stickers) but that this EP is more consistently good, with no less-good songs among them.
I'm not one to translate, but this EP couldn't have been more pertinent and timely. My own reading of this whole series of EPs is based on a christological framework. These songs ring of a feeling of stuck. Like us inside during the winter. Notos begins to ask questions. Why do we do the things that we are? Why aren't we doing what we can? In the case of the church, "Why are we not helping?" "Why would God be like that?" "Who says we're right?" Eurus sees the questions through, answering with the actions of the church, rather than hollow words. This album is foraging beyond what you know, what we have understood as truth for so long, realizing that they were only half true. Beginning to rewrite, to retranslate, and relearn. As many in the church are just beginning to. Whether that's accurate is up to everyone else, but that's one of the reasons the Oh Hellos' music has been so close to me. They're like a warm fire or an embrace during the questions.
Oh, they're heavily anti-nationalist and anti-fundamentalist. Notos is about the destruction of old fundamentalist beliefs, how religion that persecutes actually separates us from God (and each other). It's also about the fear and struggle that comes with the existential void left when you lose a belief system like that. Eurus is about being ok not knowing all the answers, exploring new ideas, figuring out how humanity can reconcile with the divine (which, in Hieroglyphs, it comes down to... rather than projecting human values onto nature like with the Greek myths, understanding the divine and nature as one, with humanity as part of nature). Boreas is about isolation from and conflict with the old community. I think... If Eurus was about figuring things out, then Boreas is saying, it's not enough to just figure things out, you have to take action to help heal the world. I think a lot of this song in particular speaks to the idea that The Bible has its limits. Like, "The corners and lines of divine invention/so paper-thin you see right through." Well, that's about how it's a closed work, "a map half-written." "The ink wells of prophecy and cartography dried long ago," but the world keeps going, we have to keep moving forward, and we kind of have to figure it out on our own. That reference to "tugging on the houseplants" calls back to Grow, the part about "the vine of ivy's pushing her way through," the way new ideas develop naturally over time. And it's new and scary, but also exciting! ...These are undoubtedly my favorite works by them. Not only are they the most lyrically complex, which is the kind of thing I just live for... I relate to it a lot. My own belief system failed me, and... That existential crisis was incredibly painful, but I came through it! And better off for it. Also, my whole life kind of fell apart on me shortly before I heard Notos, and... Yeah, in that place, I also related to it in that way. And it made me feel like, rather than my life being over, I had the chance to start again, like a child! I really get that from each installment, honestly.
@@Hakajin I agree wholeheartedly. I tend to look at things through the lens of the church because I am being raised in it. I have quite a large amount of ire and disdain for the failures of the church, so these albums bring a freshness and an alternative understanding of my own faith. They've allowed me to restructure my view of God, outside of the flawed framework of the church. I think Lapiz Lazuli has stuck with me so powerfully, because it is (at least by my understanding), about the miscommunication that occurs when you begin to see the wider things, like a new color, that others can't or won't see. The frustration of having to dumb down an experience for the sake of communication, and if we actually should partake in that trade off. This whole album is so lovely, and very timely.
@/X/EN Sorry, that was a personal claim. These being released during a time where I'm wrestling with understanding my own belief systems and coming into my own in all of it.
@@noahm.walters4526 I get you! I was raised in the Southern Baptist church, and my mother tried to push it on me... But I never felt emotionally involved like she did. The older I got, the more issues I had with it. I actually started feeling more of a relationship with God when I started figuring things out for myself, because then it was personal, and... When I look at nature and humanity as divine, too, there's so much more connection there. That's why I relate to these EPs so much!
I don’t think it’s just about the church but rather our bigger political and social structures together. The Anemoi are not only opposition to Christianity by proposing a long dead religion is a better alternative to the ones we have today, but also an attempt to usher in winds of change culturally.
I can't say what it means (and all art is up to interpretation), but I can't help but think it's about the afterlife, or the afterlife as a metaphor for rebirth in general. The early parts seem to be criticizing worldviews that try to limit reality - the ice walls is a modern flat-earther belief, and the firmament is an archaic belief that the sky is a literal dome. The "divine invention so paper-thin" seems to be referencing a weak and shallow view of God - one that can be seen through easily - one which is less than us for maintaining our comforts and sense of safety, rather than something more than us that were can aspire to but which is full of mystery. The "it could feel like the end to just keep going" reminds me of "further up and further in," from Narnia (they do quote CS Lewis often) - in which the characters go to basically heaven but it's a world made up of a series of concentric circles, but each new circle is bigger than the one outside it - transforming the dry concept of heaven as a place you go to "forever" into the dynamic concept of an everlasting adventure with infinitely new things to explore - but this fits will with the theme that some theology or perspectives can be severly limiting, bc we want to have safe dividing lines and clear borders. The "atlas shrugged" seems to just be discussing the hard realities of life (though I'll add that atlas shrugged is a story about elites believing they are the key to making society work and everyone else is dead weight, whereas if he's referencing that story at all here I feel like he's saying its not the elite but the supposed "dead weight" who are folded, like hands, at the expense of holding up the world) but the final verses really do feel like they are about some kind of rebirth, if not in an afterlife than just the rebirth that comes after hardship in general. I think "you'll stand like a babe" [learning to walk for the first time] references rebirth, but also illustrates how changes will come naturally, even when it seems far off and impossible. "You'll rise like land pulled up at the sound of some strange commandment" references the judeo Christian creation myth, in whic God commands the land to rise from the sea - which references a new beginning, and how rebirth may seem impossible but will occur readily and easily. The "moon alight" and "glowing" may be related to CS Lewis again - he discusses several places how we'll have "glory" in heaven, but this glory is essentially just recieving life and joy directly from God, like a mirror or moon reflecting the sun. But you could also interpret it to be facing reality head on (and not hiding behind limiting perspectives or comfortable lies) and instead basking in it, and being sort of filled with new light and life bc of that willingness to expose yourself and experience reality. At least that's all the thoughts I got from listening to it and reading through the lyrics.
@@friend_trilobot Pretty good! I don't think its a flat earther, limiting perspectives thing.. for me anyway, I get the idea that freezing absolute zero.. a state of no change of movement, is akin to death in this.. the end of all life death being the bitter cold of absolute frozenness and life being the fire, or the warmth, and light etc. But like all things perpetual balance is needed, and 'either' would destroy u in different ways i guess..
@@friend_trilobot Atals shrugged for me (and ive never read the book) is a sense if Atlas, whom holds up the world, shrugged and mortals were left to hold up the weight of the world by their own strength.. Or would they choose to? . .who would take on the weight and hold it up? Or can we all participate collectively? .. theres also the reference to cartography aswell as atlas, which might signify sometihng too
I am kinda early, but your music is so timeless and beautiful. Your voices never fail to make me emotional and I always love your lyrics. Thank you so much!!
*Alright, that's it,* I'm moving to the seaside and living in a retired lighthouse on the cliff, where I will live sewing, painting, and writing to my hearts content for the rest of my days with my partner and pets, communing with the fairies and goblins until the day I *die*
“Then you’ll stand like you stood as a babe tugging at the houseplants On your own Honest and truly” I’m reading The Awakening in AP lit and I feel like this line can connect to a particular part of the book really well
I discovered the Oh Hellos about a month ago. Their music is so beautiful, I'm so glad I did. It's so full of emotion and story. I listen to it when I'm writing or reading or drawing. It fits everywhere
for so long, these songs have been things I can personally relate to my own life. I've never had songs that i could apply to myself so directly, or feel so deeply. I'm legitimately crying right now, but it's a good cry. Thank you so much for this music.
this might be my new favorite song by them. it just gives such an incomprehensible feeling of nostalgia for something you've never known, i literally had to stop for a solid minute the first time i heard it just to absorb whatever it was i was feeling. and the lyrics??? "in the end more and more im feeling there won't be any end" and "when altas shrugs, whose back is breaking" just speak to my entire soul
I adored every song on this album. Every note felt so natural, every word perfectly placed. Thank you so much for making such lovely music, we love you two so much ❤️
"Cause when Atlus shrugs, who's back is breaking?" Is truly a killer line. I love all the different interpretations ppl have commented. For me I took it as the idea of atlas representing the world pop. and those who suffer when the masses are indiferent to wrongs / injustice.
I am so ready for Zephyros. Their music makes me want to run through a setting sun soaked a field of wheat and scream from a cliff high above rough seas.
Lyrics: In the end, I'm feeling more and more There won't be any end No ice walls, no frozen firmament to clearly define The corners and lines of our divine invention So paper-thin you see right through it But I bet when you can't find an edge By a map half-written It could feel like the end to have to keep going The inkwells of prophecy and cartography Dried up long ago They're hoarse from speaking of our studied hesitation To shoulder the weight of our bad-bеhaving 'Cause when Atlas shrugs, whose back is breaking? And I know how it feels to thе hands Heavy as the heavens A weight that could fold you to keep holding Well, you'll stand like you stood as a babe Talking at the house plants On your own, honest and truly You'll rise like land Pulled up at the sound of some strange commandment A moon of light reflecting fully And I guess it would feel like rebirth Out of some kind of dying to see yourself so glowing
Ever since I finished playing Outer Wilds, the music kept reminding me of The Oh Hello's. The theme of "rebirth" with this album very much plays into the message of Outer Wilds as well, so if you guys want check out the soundtrack and you'll see what I mean.
I just realized the names of all the recent albums, Boreas, Eurus, and Notos are the patron Greek gods of the North wind, East wind, and south wind respectively which means all that's left is Zephyrus, the god of the west wind. Realizing this is perhaps one of the coolest things I've ever seen out of a band and makes me love The Oh Hellos even more.
You're on to something there 💚
you are... very late to the party but welcome nonetheless. you wanna know another cool thing? see the little bump in the circle behind the bear? there's a circle on every EP cover so far, and it's oriented like a compass int he four cardinal directions- it's just that said compass has been tilted counterclockwise like fifteen degrees. also, the animals that are present on the EP covers (the ep covers always have an animal but the singles always have a plant for some reason) are oriented in the opposite cardinal direction. in boreas, the bear is oriented on the lower part of the circle, towards south. in eurus the goose is flying west. in notos the firefly is facing north, and the new zephyr ep cover has the rabbit on the cover on the 'eastern' side.
well, Zephyrus came now!
@@idontneedaname318 I suppose that the compass seeming tilted might have to do with the difference between Earth's magnetic and geometric poles, which is about 11.5 degrees
What's more is that a lot of the songs in each album have lyrics that pertain to the season each god is linked to: Boreas, the north wind, is said to be responsible for cold air and the bringing of winter. Eurus, the east wind, brings autumn, Notos brings summer, and Zephyrus brings spring. Even in this song, the lyrics "no ice walls / no frozen firmament" pays a testament to Boreas' role as the winter bringer. If you look, you can find lyrics like this all over these four albums. The Oh Hellos really did their research with this project, and I'm so happy they did.
The Oh Hellos are mythic bards from the furthest reaches of the stars.
Sounds right to me
You know what this song reminds me of?
"And everything you thought you knew
Will fall apart, but you'll be all right"
Wow, I never realized it, but that is perfect thematic foreshadowing for the entire series! It just keeps getting deeper!
omg that one is one of my favorites yessssssss you are so right
"When Atlas shrugs, whose back is breaking?" Has got to be the most epic line I've ever heard in my life
I don't understand it. Could you explain please?
@@mudpuddles Atlas is the titan in mythology who holds the sky/earth on his shoulders.
When Atlas, this hugely powerful god shrugs, who does it really affect?
(Or that's my interpretation at least)
@@Gossamaggs oh okay thanks. What does the "shrug" represent? Do u know?
@@mudpuddles I think it's also a reference to the novel Atlas Shrugged
Maggie Bequette Interesting! I interpreted at who has to pick up the world/pick up after selfishness. When you’re selfish, who must replace you?
serotonin go brrrrrrrr
Memento mori
Unnus
Annus
A joy to see interactions such as these ones. Memento Mori my friends, Unus Annus
memento mori
Serotonin is a Neurotransmitter in the Brain that creates Happiness.
I like how Passerine is very much a realization about the fire from torches going out of control and Boreas is very much a reexamination of fire and its necessary role (and through fire, a reexamination of religion). Unlike the previous two albums, it's never given _explicit_ focus in the songs, but the titles and one-off lines clue us in. "A Kindling of Sorts," "Smoke Rising Like Lifted Hands," the line "In the end, all I hope for is to be a bit of warmth for you / when there's not a lot of warmth left to go around" reflect the slow return of fire, but it's in "Glowing" that this takes an interesting turn. This should be about fire, in the way that all the previous albums had songs about all of the four classical elements interacting. But Boreas is strangely dry in its refusal to invoke all of the elements; water and wind are largely absent, fire and earth are only briefly mentioned in "Boreas," and even then only in self-destructive ways.
Glowing isn't about fire, despite light previously largely _only_ being associated with fire in these albums. "Glowing" is therefore replacing Fire's original purpose in the singer's life, which we learn in "Passerine" was to bring light. Instead, fire has been reconsidered as being for warmth and the light central to this song comes not from fire but from the achievements of the human listener struggling to learn to deal with what feels like the weight of the world - with the history and bad behavior of the past, and the refusal to complicitly shrug that weight off and force someone else to deal with it. And that light, that "glowing," is compared not to flame but to the moon.
I just find that very interesting that the album ends on fire losing its previous purpose and gaining another after the album makes careful strides to show the "fire" is rekindling.
So I’m stupid but I did have a thought: What if fire is Christianity/Faith? in Torches, the fire is wielded by people trying to further toxic cycles, God and the Bible are being neglected and misused by prejudiced fundamentalist Christians, Passerine has the bit about “Fuel to the fire of that Greco Roman dream” once again, Christianity is spreading alongside toxicity, the fire itself isn’t the issue, the issue is those who are wielding/stoking it. Passerine is also a realization of sorts, and the aversion to the fire is soothed in this album. Once free from the toxic context, the fire brings warmth and, notably, light (big correlation with God right there). There is a desire to spread the fire once again, but this time it’s not because that’s just what’s done. It’s a genuine, personal desire to embody, to sweep up the forest floor. The life that comes after a fire, the concept of death (burning) leading to rebirth (the darker soil, the life breathed into the corners) is the essence of Christianity. I think I just figured it out.
Glowing also seems to be a call for help, a breaking point. The sounds of Morse code (fake or not) give a sense of helplessness, like needing someone to help carry you to the next destination
@@warriorcatskid003 I know your comment is old, but I think this is highly plausible if not the general meaning which just makes Oh Hellos lyrically talented in their layering of story telling throughout their 4 albums and songs. I just read a Biblical commentary on the 4 winds. Biblically the 4 winds are referenced to when there is a remarkable, unusual, or devastating event. This especially comes into play for Revelations 7:1-17:
""I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.” This use of the “four winds” is different than other references because the winds are being held back rather than being sent forth. The holding back of the four winds represents the whole theme of Revelation 7, which is a worshipful respite from the outpouring of God’s judgments. The four winds that had previously represented destruction and affliction on the earth now serve as the most moving and hope-filled promise from God for the protection of His people: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God” (verse 3), “and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (verse 17).""-GotQuestions
My girlfriend and I discovered The Oh Hellos a bit more than half a year ago. Ever since then, we've been obsessed. I would follow these people into battle, if they were into that sort of thing, and I think she feels the same. We've had the idea once we began following these incredible people that, whenever they released a new album, we'd experience it by listening to everything The Oh Hellos have written, in order, until we got here. This is the end of the line. I can't listen yet, because I told someone I love very much that I'd wait for her so we can do it together! If you'd be so kind though, could you give this some visibility? I'd love for her to find this message once we get here.
To S: I love you, and I'm so glad we can experience this incredible music-making together.
Update: she was very happy to see this, and what an amazing almost 3 hour audio journey that was! Thank you for your support!
Here you are man! HAVE ALL THE LIGHT THAT I CAN GIVE YOU
Couple goals 🙌🏻 enjoy! 🌻
may your fires bring you warmth and light, and may wind always be in your sails. bless you two, heres my light to you
Ryan Grippo dude this is so damn cute have fun on your music journey! Well wishes to you and your partner 💙💙💙
You and your girlfriend deserve all the happiness!!
I just realised that the thicker part of the circle in the album covers for Notus, Boreas and Eurus correspond to their cardinal direction of which they are gods. Notus, being the god of the south wind has the thicker part of the circle towards the bottom, Eurus, god of the east wind, has the thick part to the right, and Boreas, god of the north wind, has the part to the top. These guys are amazing, in both their sound, lyrics and symbolism, truly exceptional.
i have a feeling during the original design the thicker parts of a circle were more akin to e compass but then they thought that rotating it made it look better
Big brain time
@@idontneedaname318 Someone mentioned it might have something to do with the difference between Earth's geometric and magnetic poles, that difference being around 11.5 degrees, and the one on the album cover being somewhere around there.
“When Atlas shrugs, who’s back is breaking”
Ohhhhhh mmyyyy goooddddd This hit this so much at 6am doing my shift at Tesco.
Also loving the Anemoi and entire Hellenistic tone over the last few years.
Yeah, they’re definitely going for the theme of rebirth in this album, and Zephyr is going to be the one to tie them all together. Overall, this EP is all I could hope for, and it once again shows that the Oh Hellos cannot make a bad song!
that would actually correlate with the cover art (a bear in hibernation), it's almost like a new start after they wake up.
god zephyr's gonna wreck us, we know it
@@virginiad.1911 Probably, but in a happy way. I think this is the "sad album" and Zephyrus is going to be 20 minutes of "Thus Always to Tyrants."
That's going to be really powerful, if so.
Wesley Page oh yea, i can’t wait!! I just mean it’ll b really emotional
@@wrenisprobablyb0red oh i dont think i could handle that.. i already nearly destroyed my kitchen after jamming to thus always to tyrants too hard if theres a whole album of that my house will fucking collapse
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
There is NO morse code in this song! i see a lot of people confused abt this. it is just gibberish! it does not follow a morse code pattern!
wait why are people thinking there is a Morse code to begin with?
@@euruskreacatoa2370 bc the high pitched beeping noise sounds like morse code
Every hair on my body is standing straight up. I can't even explain what's going on in my brain right now... Music always fills my mind with images and sensations and even stories, but some songs are so alive that it takes a while to figure out what I'm seeing/feeling.
Edit: here's some of what I hear:
- A tundra of brown grass, patches of snow still melting away, with gray basalt chunks covered in orangish lichen
- A river with shores of smooth gray pebbles
- Frost-tipped mountains sitting silent on the horizons, beyond the forests, waiting
- No one knows what's out there. That wilderness is unmapped, because no one who walks into the pines ever comes back
- Many believe the world ends there, that all those missing explorers and pioneers simply fell off the edge
- You never believed in such fairytales, of course
- At least, not until your telegraph started tapping out a message from no one
ok but whos gonna take one for the team and translate the morse code
JAKDJJDJDH-
I don't speak blink :(
oh pls someone come out of the woodwork to do this
worm food PLEASE SOMEONE I DONT KNOW MORSE CODEEE
They said on Twitter that it doesn't mean anything! More specifically they said this in reply to someone trying to figure it out - "This is impressive investigative work! But in truth, we weren’t intentionally spelling anything out because we felt like it might be too on the nose. That intro is us trying to capture the emotion of sending out a telegram into the ether, but it’s not actual code!" Don't waste your time lmao
I know this EP came out just a week ago, but I’m already looking forward to Zephyrus.
This series tells a profound story, one that tackles themes of religion and interrogates the abuse of God’s name that inundates modern Christianity and chronicles the narrator’s journey to escape this corruption of faith. Notos is about asking questions, and the narrator begins to see cracks in their world. Eurus is about recognizing those issues and confronting them, and eventually realizing the flaws in the system and leaving it behind for something hopefully better. This EP, Boreas, is about the aftermath; dealing with leaving a toxic environment and coming to terms with a new life, culminating in a tone of quiet hope and rebirth after all of the strife that the narrator has been through.
Zephyrus will be the final chapter, and there are basically two roads I can see it going down. It might be a triumphant reclamation of a better kind of faith, or it could be a sober reflection on the nature of belief and what happens when it leaves us.
Either way, it’s going to be amazing, and I’ll probably cry.
A) this is an incredible take!
B) sorry to bother you, but I saw your poem on rounds, and I’d love to use it for a novel I’m writing! If we could talk more about that I’d really appreciate it!
This makes me happy
Yeah, makes me happy too. Keep smiling
Same, it truly is
God tier as usual
I think this song is about deciding whether or not to be selfish. The theme fits with Roses, deciding whether or not to give your heart away. A weight that could fold you and when Atlas shrugs, whose back is breaking are the two sides of the struggle. You might have to bury yourself to lift the world up. And “Atlas Shrugged” is a book that talks about the concept of selfishness (ie should you be out to help yourself? Is it better to do so?) I think this song argues that you can choose to do only what will get you ahead, but your responsibilities will only fall to someone else. I also think there is a theme of the church’s wrongdoings throughout the album. In Roses “change comes so easy to those of us already at the table” in my eyes is a reference to the higher ups in Christian denominational churches shifting the narrative when it suits them. Here, the last line about seeing yourself glowing is about seeing you’ve made the right choice. You see yourself as better for doing what you think is right. The whole album is so interesting to me and I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but god, I love it.
yea, i agree with that view, their albums have always embraced the idea of letting yourself change as a person with the times- from constellations to grow to this
"and i know how it feels to the hands- heavy as the heavens, a weight that could fold you- to keep holding." that is POETRY... im crying rn
their music lets me go on an adventure in my mind, no limits drawn
Hello Moomin!
Halfi 💛💖💛
This EP couldn’t have come at a better time man. Can’t wait to hear the rest of it!!!!
Wow. This EP is probably The Oh Hellos’ best work yet. I just lied down and listened to it with my eyes closed. It was the most peaceful I’ve felt in a long time.
Make sure to do that again! Let the music take you away every now and then. Forget everything, and come to the land of harmony- in every sense of the word
I feel like this may not be their best work because it's still new-
But it's definitely their best EP. It's also better than Through the Deep Dark Valley. Really I just think Dear Wormwood might be better? IDK.
Wesley Page I feel like the previous two EPs had some stronger individual songs (I like this EP a lot so far but I’m struggling to imagine myself liking any of the songs more than Grow or Passerine or Planetarium Stickers) but that this EP is more consistently good, with no less-good songs among them.
I'm redownloading all of this because I lost about 2000 songs on my old phone and wow... I forgot how much this band means to me.
not even half a minute in but I already know I found my new favorite song :D
I'm not one to translate, but this EP couldn't have been more pertinent and timely. My own reading of this whole series of EPs is based on a christological framework. These songs ring of a feeling of stuck. Like us inside during the winter. Notos begins to ask questions. Why do we do the things that we are? Why aren't we doing what we can? In the case of the church, "Why are we not helping?" "Why would God be like that?" "Who says we're right?" Eurus sees the questions through, answering with the actions of the church, rather than hollow words. This album is foraging beyond what you know, what we have understood as truth for so long, realizing that they were only half true. Beginning to rewrite, to retranslate, and relearn. As many in the church are just beginning to. Whether that's accurate is up to everyone else, but that's one of the reasons the Oh Hellos' music has been so close to me. They're like a warm fire or an embrace during the questions.
Oh, they're heavily anti-nationalist and anti-fundamentalist. Notos is about the destruction of old fundamentalist beliefs, how religion that persecutes actually separates us from God (and each other). It's also about the fear and struggle that comes with the existential void left when you lose a belief system like that. Eurus is about being ok not knowing all the answers, exploring new ideas, figuring out how humanity can reconcile with the divine (which, in Hieroglyphs, it comes down to... rather than projecting human values onto nature like with the Greek myths, understanding the divine and nature as one, with humanity as part of nature). Boreas is about isolation from and conflict with the old community. I think... If Eurus was about figuring things out, then Boreas is saying, it's not enough to just figure things out, you have to take action to help heal the world.
I think a lot of this song in particular speaks to the idea that The Bible has its limits. Like, "The corners and lines of divine invention/so paper-thin you see right through." Well, that's about how it's a closed work, "a map half-written." "The ink wells of prophecy and cartography dried long ago," but the world keeps going, we have to keep moving forward, and we kind of have to figure it out on our own. That reference to "tugging on the houseplants" calls back to Grow, the part about "the vine of ivy's pushing her way through," the way new ideas develop naturally over time. And it's new and scary, but also exciting!
...These are undoubtedly my favorite works by them. Not only are they the most lyrically complex, which is the kind of thing I just live for... I relate to it a lot. My own belief system failed me, and... That existential crisis was incredibly painful, but I came through it! And better off for it. Also, my whole life kind of fell apart on me shortly before I heard Notos, and... Yeah, in that place, I also related to it in that way. And it made me feel like, rather than my life being over, I had the chance to start again, like a child! I really get that from each installment, honestly.
@@Hakajin I agree wholeheartedly. I tend to look at things through the lens of the church because I am being raised in it. I have quite a large amount of ire and disdain for the failures of the church, so these albums bring a freshness and an alternative understanding of my own faith. They've allowed me to restructure my view of God, outside of the flawed framework of the church. I think Lapiz Lazuli has stuck with me so powerfully, because it is (at least by my understanding), about the miscommunication that occurs when you begin to see the wider things, like a new color, that others can't or won't see. The frustration of having to dumb down an experience for the sake of communication, and if we actually should partake in that trade off. This whole album is so lovely, and very timely.
@/X/EN Sorry, that was a personal claim. These being released during a time where I'm wrestling with understanding my own belief systems and coming into my own in all of it.
@@noahm.walters4526 I get you! I was raised in the Southern Baptist church, and my mother tried to push it on me... But I never felt emotionally involved like she did. The older I got, the more issues I had with it. I actually started feeling more of a relationship with God when I started figuring things out for myself, because then it was personal, and... When I look at nature and humanity as divine, too, there's so much more connection there. That's why I relate to these EPs so much!
I don’t think it’s just about the church but rather our bigger political and social structures together. The Anemoi are not only opposition to Christianity by proposing a long dead religion is a better alternative to the ones we have today, but also an attempt to usher in winds of change culturally.
"it could feel like the end
to have to keep going"
I felt that.
I like this song and can’t wait for someone smarter than me to figure out what it means
same lmaoo
Same
I can't say what it means (and all art is up to interpretation), but I can't help but think it's about the afterlife, or the afterlife as a metaphor for rebirth in general. The early parts seem to be criticizing worldviews that try to limit reality - the ice walls is a modern flat-earther belief, and the firmament is an archaic belief that the sky is a literal dome. The "divine invention so paper-thin" seems to be referencing a weak and shallow view of God - one that can be seen through easily - one which is less than us for maintaining our comforts and sense of safety, rather than something more than us that were can aspire to but which is full of mystery. The "it could feel like the end to just keep going" reminds me of "further up and further in," from Narnia (they do quote CS Lewis often) - in which the characters go to basically heaven but it's a world made up of a series of concentric circles, but each new circle is bigger than the one outside it - transforming the dry concept of heaven as a place you go to "forever" into the dynamic concept of an everlasting adventure with infinitely new things to explore - but this fits will with the theme that some theology or perspectives can be severly limiting, bc we want to have safe dividing lines and clear borders.
The "atlas shrugged" seems to just be discussing the hard realities of life (though I'll add that atlas shrugged is a story about elites believing they are the key to making society work and everyone else is dead weight, whereas if he's referencing that story at all here I feel like he's saying its not the elite but the supposed "dead weight" who are folded, like hands, at the expense of holding up the world)
but the final verses really do feel like they are about some kind of rebirth, if not in an afterlife than just the rebirth that comes after hardship in general. I think "you'll stand like a babe" [learning to walk for the first time] references rebirth, but also illustrates how changes will come naturally, even when it seems far off and impossible. "You'll rise like land pulled up at the sound of some strange commandment" references the judeo Christian creation myth, in whic God commands the land to rise from the sea - which references a new beginning, and how rebirth may seem impossible but will occur readily and easily. The "moon alight" and "glowing" may be related to CS Lewis again - he discusses several places how we'll have "glory" in heaven, but this glory is essentially just recieving life and joy directly from God, like a mirror or moon reflecting the sun. But you could also interpret it to be facing reality head on (and not hiding behind limiting perspectives or comfortable lies) and instead basking in it, and being sort of filled with new light and life bc of that willingness to expose yourself and experience reality.
At least that's all the thoughts I got from listening to it and reading through the lyrics.
@@friend_trilobot Pretty good! I don't think its a flat earther, limiting perspectives thing.. for me anyway, I get the idea that freezing absolute zero.. a state of no change of movement, is akin to death in this.. the end of all life
death being the bitter cold of absolute frozenness and life being the fire, or the warmth, and light etc.
But like all things perpetual balance is needed, and 'either' would destroy u in different ways i guess..
@@friend_trilobot Atals shrugged for me (and ive never read the book) is a sense if Atlas, whom holds up the world, shrugged and mortals were left to hold up the weight of the world by their own strength.. Or would they choose to? . .who would take on the weight and hold it up? Or can we all participate collectively?
.. theres also the reference to cartography aswell as atlas, which might signify sometihng too
I'm so happy that we're getting new music. It's all so gorgeous ❤❤❤❤
!!!! This album art is so pretty!
A song that makes you live a thousand memories and a thousand lives is a grwat song.
This whole song is so otherworldly it's breathtakingly beautiful and so is the entire albulm. The oh hello's have set the bar so high
No way I’m here only half an hour after this has been uploaded. I just love this album so much! :)
I am kinda early, but your music is so timeless and beautiful. Your voices never fail to make me emotional and I always love your lyrics. Thank you so much!!
Every time the Oh Hellos release new music, I learn a new word or two.
*Alright, that's it,* I'm moving to the seaside and living in a retired lighthouse on the cliff, where I will live sewing, painting, and writing to my hearts content for the rest of my days with my partner and pets, communing with the fairies and goblins until the day I *die*
I thought Boreas was just going to be a single, now I'm crying. 😭😭❤❤❤❤
my serotonin levels just sky rocketed
Their music always manages to lift my spirits no matter the situation. so glad they released new ones!
“Then you’ll stand like you stood as a babe tugging at the houseplants
On your own
Honest and truly”
I’m reading The Awakening in AP lit and I feel like this line can connect to a particular part of the book really well
pp,,,pretty music!! i feel so lucky to be one of the first 2000 to listen to this song,,,, oh wow,,,,, this is amazing and lovely :)
I discovered the Oh Hellos about a month ago. Their music is so beautiful, I'm so glad I did. It's so full of emotion and story. I listen to it when I'm writing or reading or drawing. It fits everywhere
I've literally been playing this on loop since it came out. Holy shit this is such a good song!
This has been added to the songs I will play at my wedding
for so long, these songs have been things I can personally relate to my own life. I've never had songs that i could apply to myself so directly, or feel so deeply. I'm legitimately crying right now, but it's a good cry. Thank you so much for this music.
this might be my new favorite song by them. it just gives such an incomprehensible feeling of nostalgia for something you've never known, i literally had to stop for a solid minute the first time i heard it just to absorb whatever it was i was feeling. and the lyrics??? "in the end more and more im feeling there won't be any end" and "when altas shrugs, whose back is breaking" just speak to my entire soul
Your making the world a but more happier and me, thank you for these songs!
These guys upload so fast my mind cant have enough time to comprehend how good their songs are
The colours in my mind's eye are beautiful.
I love The Oh Hellos and only just heard this got released. Thanks for nothing post notifications
I adored every song on this album. Every note felt so natural, every word perfectly placed. Thank you so much for making such lovely music, we love you two so much ❤️
This is the earliest ive been in awhile!~ ^^
That said, keep up the good work, your music as always felt bright and full of life.
Oh how soft this song is, and a little bit of heartbreak as well.
Just as beautiful as the other!! I’m still so happy you guys are making music again!!!
Thank you Oh hellos for such amazing music! (also now i understand why this is josh fav song, this ROCKS!)
I swear every song that these guys make brings me a memory that i don't even have
I'm currently watching a fruit fly, and the man is changing direction _on the beat._ your music makes ANIMALS dance
This band lifts the earth up to heaven, and brings heaven down to earth.
"Cause when Atlus shrugs, who's back is breaking?" Is truly a killer line. I love all the different interpretations ppl have commented. For me I took it as the idea of atlas representing the world pop. and those who suffer when the masses are indiferent to wrongs / injustice.
My new favorite band OMG
I really needed this song, thank you.
💛Love from Argentina, so beautiful !!!
and I guess
it would feel like rebirth
out of some kind of dying
to see yourself
so glowing
I just came back from school and I see this I’m so happy
Glowing: And she will use that warmth to glow
Thank you so much for this new EP :D
I've found my new fav band
😍 Welcome
welcome to the club my dude
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS MUSIC IS SOOOOOOOO PERFECT!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS GROUP
This is absolutely amazing. Definetly one of my favorite songs
Yet another beautiful song. Can't wait to hear the whole EP
Beautiful. Amazing. I miss this band so much
obsessed with the harmonies in the beginning rn
I love the background! That bear is adorable :3 The song is really good, too.
Can we talk about that beautiful picture?? SO PURE
absolutely beautiful album guys. yall never disappoint!!!
I am so ready for Zephyros. Their music makes me want to run through a setting sun soaked a field of wheat and scream from a cliff high above rough seas.
Lyrics:
In the end, I'm feeling more and more
There won't be any end
No ice walls, no frozen firmament to clearly define
The corners and lines of our divine invention
So paper-thin you see right through it
But I bet when you can't find an edge
By a map half-written
It could feel like the end to have to keep going
The inkwells of prophecy and cartography
Dried up long ago
They're hoarse from speaking of our studied hesitation
To shoulder the weight of our bad-bеhaving
'Cause when Atlas shrugs, whose back is breaking?
And I know how it feels to thе hands
Heavy as the heavens
A weight that could fold you to keep holding
Well, you'll stand like you stood as a babe
Talking at the house plants
On your own, honest and truly
You'll rise like land
Pulled up at the sound of some strange commandment
A moon of light reflecting fully
And I guess it would feel like rebirth
Out of some kind of dying to see yourself so glowing
Ever since I finished playing Outer Wilds, the music kept reminding me of The Oh Hello's. The theme of "rebirth" with this album very much plays into the message of Outer Wilds as well, so if you guys want check out the soundtrack and you'll see what I mean.
Amazing album, just finished listening to the entire thing!
I love the intro omg......
I can wait for the full abum...
but I don't want to!
In a seriousness this is great, this bands artful wrighting and symbolism is great to see!
I HAVE NEVER CLICKED ON SOMETHIGN SO FAST
Its always good music that inspires me
this whole album was a religious experience for me
Ah yes, my favorite Oh Hellos Lyric: Kloud bdix
yesss omg 🍉🍉🍉
Why i love everything about this song? So pretty
This song about death and the afterlife is very unique, in ways I can't quite describe.
Love your music!
Absolutely beautiful. Miss y’all.
No início fui aumentar o volume, e pensei q meu celular tava com problema kkkk. Beautiful song
I'm leaving this comment here for when the song explodes. This is amazing.
I love you guys, You are my favourite band
I was needing this
Thank you the lyrics make this worth many relistens
Simply and honestly a beautiful EP✨🌭🐝✨
Magic in our ears 💚
God I love this kind of music
This is the best way to start a day aaaaaa
Absolutely 𝓌𝑜𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓊𝓁
Amazing song as always Also don’t know why but I love the line “when atlas shrugs whose back is breaking”
This sounds so lovely!
I look forward to the analyses to come for each song as I listen on repeat for the coming days
Honestly, that's one of the best parts! And now we get to experience it all over again for Zephyrus!