Music Review: Zedd "Clarity"

Zedd

Clarity

Album: Clarity

Year: 2012

         A sensitive subject levels a relationship for Foxes in the soapy  “Clarity”

       A placid synth opens the single, setting a soothing tone.  The picture is still on the floor. Neither has been able to pick it up. She thought his ex was out of their lives. The little boy smiling in the photo is her boyfriend’s. She won’t ever bear his first child. His ex will always have that distinction. She stares at the cupboards in the kitchen. He looks into the backyard. Despite a broken engagement (hers) and a move across country (his), their relationship has survived. It will mean another separation. She’s waiting on the words. However, his downcast eyes will pull her again. Ignoring her own her pain, she wishes she could comfort him. (“High dive into frozen waves where the past comes back to life/Fight fear for the selfish pain, it was worth it every time/Hold still right before we crash cause we both know how this ends/A clock ticks 'till it breaks your glass and I drown in you again.”)

           In the chorus, she has known him since she was a teenager. For over ten years, they have grown up together and remained in each other lives throughout. Even after periods of not speaking, they would always return to each other. Drama has defined their relationship. It makes her wonder how he is able to the one who helps her realize things, washing away any anxiety. (“Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn't need/Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don't know why/If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?/If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?”)

             Over a validatiing chorus of male “yeah’s”, she repeats “if our love is tragedy/If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?/If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?”)

          Her best friend tells her to talk to him. Her mother says he’s called her twice. His roommate says she should come over. But she can’t get past it. They do not have many “firsts” together. For her, being the only mother of his children was the one she hung onto.

Her family and friends tell her her child with him will be important to him, too. He calls for her to stay. But she puts her hand out and shakes her head. She has to get away from him. She has to be alone. (“Walk on through a red parade and refuse to make amends/It cuts deep through our ground and makes us forget all common sense/Don't speak as I try to leave cause we both know what we'll choose/If you pulled and I push too deep then I'll fall right back to you,”)

           The chorus is sung again.

         The validating chorus of male’s chorus returns and gets stuck on one note for about ten seconds. She agains repeats “Why are you my clarity?/Why are you my remedy?/Why are you my clarity?/Why are you my remedy?”

           She repeats “if our love is tragedy/If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?/If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?” to end the single.

          The placid synth closes the single.

          Foxes’ transparent, strained vocals are passive, anticipating the phone call she will likely receive and accept. She may say it’s over. But like before, the cycle will continue on.

          Zedd’s lost arrangement meanders into the early 90s ballads and plants itself onto the most commercial beat. It immediately stops looking for anything new and settles for the familiarity.

             The slight “Clarity” is unable to carry the poetic lyrics, dropping them into a pile of colorless mush.