Indie Obsessive: “Sonder Life” by Tender Glue

Friday, January 23, 2026

“Sonder Life” by Tender Glue – A Song Feature

“Sonder Life” possesses the ability to reflect a listener’s temperament and emotional state—whether restless or at peace. Although “chameleon” is often a word of suspicion in business or politics, in music it’s a virtue: the art of adapting not to deceive, but to resonate with - and sometimes gently reshape - the current “inner environment” of the person. The guitars in “Sonder Life” are masterfully layered by Tender Glue, casting an ambience that is at once warm and quietly unsettling –an atmosphere that accommodates contrasting responses, even from day to day.

Additionally, the lyrics (included at the bottom of this post) of “Sonder Life” are open to interpretation. For example, the first two lines are “Running uphill when sober // I always knew I’m broken.” Certainly, not emotionally upbeat. But “sonder” is the profoundly mature realization that every other individual is living a life that is as complex and vividly real as your own. Tender Glue explains:

“’Sonder Life’ is an introspective track inspired by discovering the meaning of the word ‘sonder’ - the realization that everyone carries their own inner world and quiet struggles. Over the past decade, this awareness has become a recurring feeling for me, bringing a sense of nostalgia that’s hard to place. The song reflects on feeling nostalgic not just for the past, but for lives already lived and lives yet to come. With a reflective tone and emotional simplicity, the track captures the weight of perspective, empathy, and quiet acceptance.”

Tender Glue is the project of Tom Gluewicki, who was originally born and raised in Poland and later moved to New York in 2002. But Gluewicki describes Tender Glue as “Not a person. Not a band. Music made by an urge to create.”

“Sonder Life” is available for streaming or purchase via all of the major platforms, including Bandcamp (https://tenderglue.bandcamp.com/track/sonder-life).

“Sonder Life” by Tender Glue