Expressing the need for support and compassion in times of mental uncertainty, "Don't Carry Things That Weigh You Down" by ELLDER is a beautiful exploration of self and relationships. The track starts off by communicating a need for the speaker's struggles to be recognized without being something that defines them. Moving through lyrics that crave change and touching metaphors like "I'm a slow bloom open", this song expresses the slow progress that the speaker makes on their journey to wellness. Asking questions like "when you go through changes, who am I?", this touching tune allows listeners to reflect on their identity relative to the people they care about.
Piano opens the track with a slow, warm progression of chords. The vocals begin, with soft male singing working gently and pensively through the verse as higher soprano singing harmonizes beautifully, blending into the chorus. With a euphoric softness to the tune, the lyrics coast with the melody, artfully descending at the lyrics "down, down, down". The soprano voice takes over the second verse, with harmonizing and an introspective sound to the vocals. Gentle electronic instrumentals add an atmospheric percussion to the track, acting as a rhythmic beckoning of the uplifting meaning of the song.
ELLDER is a project of two Canadian singer-songwriters: Carmen Elle and Ben Kunder. These musicians split their time between PEI, Toronto, and LA as they create meaningful music. The duo has won a CASMA Award for Best Original Song, with "Don't Carry Things That Weigh You Down" featuring in CBC Gem and HBO Max's award-winning series, "Sort Of". Ben Kunder is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer on top of his singer-songwriter talents with albums and singles in his discography as a solo-artist. Carmen Elle is a producer and composer as well, on top of their singer-songwriter talents. They have music featured on the screen for platforms like Netflix, CBC, and CTV. Check out the links below to keep up with ELLDER and their music.
Written By Hanna Kowal
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