I think I’ve finally realized why New York City is called The City That Never Sleeps. We’re always searching for the next big thing, the next break, the next trend; one foot in the door, and even when we’re out to dinner with friends, we’re constantly watching out the window because something in you believes that something more exciting might pass by and can’t possibly miss it. Living in New York City is like living in Twitter — even instant coffee isn’t instant enough. Those of us who went to school here have hardly had a break in over four years: college, internships, part-time jobs, find an apartment, more college, land a full-time job before graduation, graduate, and then what? Continue moving forward with that job because it’s all you know how to do, move. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this city and can’t imagine living anywhere else, but if you’re not careful, you’ll lose your head. The word “break” stresses you out more than a deadline because deep down you know you’re going to have to deal with yourself for once and not some silly 9-5 business and manic boss. You learn to think for yourself here, but you don’t really know how to confront yourself. It’s a paradox, really, and one that I’ve chosen to avoid.
This is only a recent decision, though. You know when you sense that something’s going a little haywire, but you’re too busy to address it? The smart person slows down, the New Yorker masks it with more things to do — “bettering” themselves when really, we’re running on a track destined to crash into ourselves in due time. So, I left — for a weekend. Returned home, and getting my head back on. I hesitate to use the word “roots” because of it’s cliche and wannabe romantic sound, but it’s kind of like that. One thing that this track does is bring together the vibes of my musical roots and mixes it with the future and the now. I’m not particularly keen on Empire of The Sun, but when I like a track of their’s, I tend to love it. “I’ll Be Around” is a mellow, summer jam without the haze. There isn’t a sense of laziness to it; the beat is light and floats through time and space, gets under your skin and invigorates your drive. It grounds you but keeps your head in the clouds — which is, the best place I think one can ever be, especially in a town like New York.