Anderson Hao’s everyone before sneaks up on you as it catches you in its web of subtle melodies and raw honesty.
Hao’s voice is barely above a whisper, but it carries weight. The stripped-back production, with the acoustic guitar, poignant piano melody and some ethereal tones, gives her words room to breathe.
The lyrics are direct and take no prisoners. “It’s just not my year / Tied around my wrist / Soiled souvenir”
Anderson Hao taps into that relatable feeling of being stuck carrying around the baggage of past mistakes.
But she doesn’t dwell as the chorus offers a glimmer of acceptance: “I am everyone I’ve been before / No less no more.”
This track came together in a garage studio in LA, proving you don’t need fancy equipment to create something that resonates.
It’s part of a larger project Hao’s working on with her music collective partner. They’re releasing singles every few weeks, building anticipation for an August album drop.
everyone before sticks with you. It’s not a song that announces itself loudly, but rather one that quietly takes up residence in your mind.
Each listen reveals new layers, a lyrical turn of phrase you missed before, or a subtle musical flourish that suddenly stands out.
Anderson Hao and her collective are set to showcase the full project at Makeout Music, a DIY venue.
If this single is any indication, that show promises to be an intimate affair, full of songs that cut close to the bone.
Anderson Hao everyone before Lyrics
It’s just not my year
Tied around my wrist
Soiled souvenir
Blocking out the light
Leaving in the lurch if I could just hold tight
If you weren’t mine to lose
Might make less mistakes
It’s power we misuse
Cover all your tracks
Double dogma learned
Leave it in the past
Cause I am everyone I’ve been before
No less no more
All time does is try to settle scores
I miss the point
No less no more
Not sure what I expect
Repeating every act
Hoping for the best
Inciting sympathy
Fog on the mirror means see what you believe
Cause I am everyone I’ve been before
No less no more
And all time does is try to settle scores
I miss the point
No less no more