Maudlin Strangers x Ben Beal – For Love, For War

Bait-bait For Love, For War direkam di kamar hotel kecil di London lewat aplikasi Voice Memos di iPhone, dan Maudlin Strangers sengaja membiarkannya begitu. Suara di bait jadi terdengar tipis dan agak jauh, persis seperti telepon dari orang yang kita sayangi.

Rekaman itu memang bagian dari ceritanya. Lagu ini disusun sebagai percakapan telepon antara seorang teman dan seseorang yang berdiri di tepi atap gedung. “Keep your eyes on the skyline way out there,” pinta si penelepon, sementara bisikan “Don’t be scared” menyelip di sela baris. Ada kelembutan yang bikin bulu kuduk bergetar di situ.

Di reff, Maudlin Strangers melebarkan pertanyaannya ke hidup yang penuh luka dan lembur, “For love or for war?”

Bait rap Ben Beal kemudian menyeret kita ke ruangan lain. Windex, Guinness, rumah berhantu, dan perkelahian pisau datang beruntun dengan napas cepat. Seru, tapi saya sempat bingung siapa yang sedang bicara di telepon itu sekarang.

Menjelang akhir, For Love, For War memutar pertanyaan itu berkali-kali. Tidak ada yang menjawab, dan ia berhenti di sana.

Lirik Lagu Maudlin Strangers – For Love, For War

I'll be there in a heartbeat
I'll be there, don't you worry
(Don't be scared)
Keep your eyes on the overground passing train

Got my lucky thirteen
And wore my heart under my sleeve
(Don't be scared)
Keep your mind off the other side to be fair
(Don't you care?)
Keep your eyes on the skyline way out there

So what's it all for?
For love or for war?
I know we're hurting and overworking
But what are we paid for?
For love or for war?

Sink your teeth into my skin
Your liquid courage is failing
(Don't be scared)
Keep in mind that tomorrow isn't like today
(Don't you care?)
Keep your eyes locked on mine and don't look away

Don't trip, don't sink, everything's sick
Now I guess it shows in a lit spliff
Second hand death sells, hit the kill switch
I've been up next, take a swig of Windex
Shattered glass doors killing birds with a stone, ‘bout two
No credit but I did the project, no group
Sipping Guinness 'til my eyesight fisheye,
I serenade the moon, all I know is 'round midnight
He has good choices, only making good choices
Block out the noise 'till it's me and three voices
My house haunted and I love it, me and my girl laugh at things flying out the cupboard,
yeah that's it
I don't know how I've been, real shit, don't blink
Or this life you will miss real quick
Knife fight for the love of the game, feel bliss
No fear, never scared, do it for me, bish
No fear

So what's it all for?
For love or for war?
I know we're hurting and overworking
But what are we paid for?
For love or for war?
For love or for war?
For love or for war?

Maudlin Strangers Profile

• Spotify
• YouTube
• Bandcamp
• Instagram
• maudlinstrangers.com

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Energi mentah dan riff gitar berkarakter senada juga mencuat dalam ulasan Janalynn Castelino – But Without You (Temptation Remix)  serta nomor garang di arsip ulasan HINNI. – Peptide Boy.