#beautiousity

So. This might come as a shock to some of you on this blog but I kinda like David Archuleta. I mean, I think I’ve posted about him here a time or two... 

WELL. He has just released his first collection of new music in 5 million years and it’s freaking brilliant and I wanna talk about it. Gird your loins.

There are only 4 songs on this EP but there are 2 more EPs planned to be released this year. So I won’t get too salty about only having 4 songs to rave over right now. But really my people -- it’s the quality not the quantity 😉

Numb - watch the video here

This song was released as a single last year so it feels kind of weird to be talking about it as part of a new EP but it honestly deserves all the love. Going through and listening again and I’m still blown away. This song has my favorite overall lyrics that David has ever written. There is so much meat on these bones you guys. Random favorite lines in no particular order:

~I think I’ll take a second chance, I won’t be passing by the waters again.~  ~I wanna feel redemption’s hand.~  ~Everybody needs time away, to wake up with the sun on their face.~  ~Love this life only for what it is.~  ~I hear the whispers in the stars.~  ~It hurts to live so wide awake but it’s a chance I can take.~  ~Falling over all of my shadows.~  ~Open soul in an open sky.~  ~I don’t wanna feel numb.~ 

Like. At this point I should just write out the lyrics of the entire song. IT’S JUST THAT GOOD. This song is about David’s struggle to find himself and get his motivation back for making music. About coming from a lost place and being unwilling to remain lost. It has such a strong beat and an intensity that matches the words. I love it. 

Invincible - listen to the song on yt

BRAND. NEW. SONG. I posted the lyrics here a couple weeks ago so you already know how I feel about that. This is the song that I was most uncertain about before the EP came out; it’s also the one we knew the least about. You guys. Super surprise: I love it. The beat, the tempo, the catchiness is like woah you didn’t think you were gonna jam didja?? And yet here you are, JAMMIN. Omg I can’t stop smiling while listening. I started a war, I sent out the battle cry. Fighting me, myself, & I. David. Why do you sing the lyrics to my heart. Take a breath, look at how you’re trying to think it to death. YES DAVID YES. You guys. David Archuleta is the gift that we don’t deserve. He’s just so good. This song. You need it. Go listen. I promise you need it. Don’t forget that you don’t have to be invincible. There’s even some kinda child choir or something busting out in there omg unicorns and purple hearts are actually flying out of my eyes. I’m done. I. LOVE. IT.

Say Me - listen to the song on yt

This song just about put me 6 feet under the first time I heard it. David premiered it live for the first time anywhere at Tuacahn last November and I cried strongly. He talked about how the song is about being willing to say ME, to value yourself and your own voice. Have we talked about how we don’t deserve David Archuleta? I mean.

Everyone ...sees the rust when I see shine, you need someone to take your side, say me

That right there. Possibly my favorite single lyric ever. Everyone sees the rust when I see shine. I get teary just typing it out. Y’all. This song is so impossibly beautiful. A ballad, real-ass strings up in here like so dramatic. Omg. This boy’s voice. His heart. The sooner we start this life living as we’re loved. Freaking heart eyes all over the world tonight.

I cried listening to this studio version the first time. That very rarely happens. I’m a big live music crier; not much of a recorded music crier. But this one got me. So moving. Bless this boy.

Up All Night - watch the video

A joyous end to this gorgeous EP. Honestly I feel like Numb and Up All Night are perfect bookends to this collection because they’re like a continuation of each other, describing a time in David’s life when he was working to find his voice. And did he ever. The danciness of this song is insane, it’s so upbeat and celebratory!! Nowhere else that I’d rather be, no greater gift than what you’ve given me. Listen to that tone, my lord. This guy’s voice. Our ears are blessed. I can feel David’s joy in finding a place to belong, a feeling of inclusion, of home. It is a thing of such beauty. And it’s just a fun song!! I’m blown away with all these feelings inside <3

And as long as we’re here talking about Up All Night I just want to say how completely in love I am with the video. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it sure wasn’t what we got. Joyous is right because David Freaking Archuleta is dancing. D.A.N.C.I.N.G. Like. Busting a move type dancing. What universe is this? And the message of the video is such a lovely representation of who David is a person. People invited him in and helped him find the way to himself (irl) and so he wants to help others find themselves. The message of inclusion and diversity and just caring about each other because we are all connected is so freaking sincere and GOOD. You guys. What did we do to deserve David Archuleta. That’s our lifetime motto now. What did we do to deserve David Archuleta.

Final thoughts

Overall, this EP is so gorgeous and worth your time to listen to. David has a voice and message that is so needed. To see where he was at 17 years old on American Idol and then see who he is now at 26 years old...I am thankful that he continues to share that with us. To share his struggles and vulnerabilities and his joy and hope. I am verklempt. All the praise hands in the universe ALLLLL OF THEM (JUST IMAGINE ALL OF THEM HERE NOW BUT I’M JUST GONNA PUT ONE BUT REALLY IT’S ALL OF THEM ONE IS ALL THAT’S OUR MESSAGE DON’T FORGET) 🙌

You can buy Orion at iTunes or Amazon or stream it on Spotify!! Do it.