“Trouble” by Broken Fires – A Song Feature

      A seemingly countless number of salvos are fired into the Indie Ocean on a weekly basis, but only a few hit the target. Regardless of how success is measured, a successful song must possess a feature that secures separation from the many other songs that are the pride of their respective musicians. “Trouble” has at least two “separating” features, namely the many shifts of the instrumental support during the first half and the lyrical layering showcased in the second half of the single from Broken Fires
 
     Instrumentally, “Trouble” begins with a modest, yet engaging, combination of bass and guitar. At the start of the third verse, the vocals become more urgent, and the combination of bass and guitar is replaced by percussion with skillfully presented fills and the power to cause chest vibrations in fans in a concert setting. Then at 1:10, the instruments aggressively come together and the percussion turns more combative.
 
     The instrumental shifts continue in the second half of “Trouble,” but it’s the lyrical layering the demands attention. The layering begins at 2:40. It was not as easily accomplished as the final “product” sounds. Singer and guitarist Tom Stephens said, “I cut up a camping mat, glued it to the sides of my wardrobe, put a duvet over my head and worked on that vocal outro for hours. I’m pretty sure that’s why the neighbours moved out.”
 
     The lyrics of the single from Broken Fires are included at the bottom of this post. The song is about an attachment to home. The promotional content for “Trouble” explains: “Hiraeth: A Welsh word with no literal translation meaning a longing for something, especially home.’ The only way to describe the tragedy and euphoria that washes over you as ‘Trouble’ carries you back to your spiritual home.” 
     
     The band is from Swansea, UK, and is formed of Tom Stephens (lead vocals, guitar), Gareth Carter (guitar) and Justin Hendy (guitar). “Trouble” will be on their full-length album, “HYMNS,” which is scheduled for release on October 28 via Phwoar and Peace, an independent record label based in Cardiff, Wales. “Trouble” was the final song recorded at Mwnci Studios, West Wales as part of the sessions for the sophomore album “HYMNS.” Gareth, Tom and Justin added vocals, synth pads and additional guitars from their bedrooms in Swansea, Wales and London in 2021 before sending the raw tracks to Toronto, Canada for mixing. 
 
      “Trouble” by Broken Fires

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Lyrics of “Trouble” by Broken Fires
I was born in a corner
A dead suburb of my father’s land
There was something in the water
And it made me who I am
 
Then I left for the border
To the crossing point, the devil’s bridge
And it messed with my conscience
When I was just a kid
When I was just a kid
 
It was all entertainment
Smoking cigarettes until I choked
Conversations with artists
They were mindless, numb, and broke
 
I was trash in an ocean
Tiny fragments underneath a wave
I went looking for trouble
And I think I lost my way
Yeah, I think I lost my way
 
Now I long for that corner
A dead suburb of my father’s land
There was something in the water
And it made me who I am
 
Maybe I should have stayed?
Maybe I should have stayed?
I don’t think I can change
Until they bring me home
Until they bring me home
 
I want trouble
All the time
I can’t give my head a rest
I’m just trying
To survive
In this complicated mess
 
There’s nothing you can do now to change it all
(I want trouble)
I made mistakes my love and I lost it all
(All the time)
As you lay my body down to rest
(I can’t give my head a rest)
Remember us when we were kids
 
Clean me up just before I go
(I’m just trying)
Sing those hymns that we used to know
(To survive)
As you write those tales of who I was
(In this complicated mess)
Think of me when I was home.