Singer/songwriter Lætitia Tamko, known as Vagabon, released her new single “Carpenter,” a beautiful ode to the process of becoming ready.
follow our Today’s Song(s) playlist
Stream: “Carpenter” – Vagabon
Vagabon’s new single “Carpenter” is captivatingly gorgeous. Released on January 12, 2023, the single was co-produced with record producer Rostam (Vampire Weekend, Haim, Clairo, Maggie Rogers), and is the first music she has released since her 2019 self-titled album. It marks a new beginning and exciting era for Vagabon.
“‘Carpenter’ is about that humbling feeling when you desperately want to be knowledgeable, you want to be advanced, you want to be mature, forward thinking, and evolved,” Vagabon explains. “It’s about being confronted with your limitations. It’s about that A-HA moment, when a lesson from the past finally clicks and you want to run and tell someone who bore witness to the old you, ‘I finally get it now.’”
Between the fluctuating and upbeat melodies as well as Vagabon’s calmingly beautiful voice, “Carpenter” is filled with such artistic craft. Every second of the song highlights a unique and creative move. The entire track compliments the peace and delight someone would feel as they finally learn the lesson their past was trying to teach them, emphasizing the message of the song. Each moment is woven together gorgeously.
I wasn’t ready to hear you out
I wasn’t ready to shut it down
I wasn’t ready to talk it out
I wasn’t ready to be let down
I wasn’t ready to hear you out
I wasn’t ready to move on now
I wasn’t ready for what you were saying
But I’m more ready now
Yeah, I’m all ready now
As she sings about not being ready to hear things out, talk it out or be let down in the chorus, she highlights actions many people turn to during such a time. But now that she is ready, she understands. She has faced the limitations and is growing and learning from the experience.
Lost in space
I’m just spinning my wheels all day
I’m just spinning my wheels all day
Keep spinning your way
Cautionary tale
It was embodiment of fear
It was embodiment of fear
I was embodying fear
In this later verse of the song, she truly captures that scary and lost feeling someone may feel before they know the lesson they are supposed to be learning from the situation. The spinning imagery mixed with the lyrics, “It was embodiment of fear, I was embodying fear,” is so effective. Not only is she mentioning feeling fear but she is mentioning the fear the situation brings to a person.
I wasn’t ready to hear you out
I wasn’t ready to pull me out
I wasn’t ready to move on now
But I’m more ready now
I wasn’t ready to hear you out
I wasn’t ready to pull me out
I wasn’t ready to move on now
But I’m more ready now
As the song transitions back to the chorus, her voice sounds a bit further away and there is a change within the beat. The slight beeping sound in the background of the song, is brought to the front and becomes prominent. As the beep happens almost every five seconds, it sounds like a heart monitor, mirroring life.
Yeah, I’m all ready now
Tell it to me again
Well, I’m more ready now
Yeah, I’m all ready now
As the end of the song approaches, she emphasizes how she is ready to face it all. The line, “Tell it to me again,” is powerful and moving. It brings the whole story to a close as she is not only ready but she is so ready you could tell her the whole story again.
You can catch Vagabon live as she tours with Weyes Blood on her In Holy Flux tour this spring.
— —
:: stream/purchase “Carpenter” here ::
Stream: “Carpenter” – Vagabon
— — — —
Connect to Vagabon on
TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Discover new music on Atwood Magazine
? © Ace Amir & Alexa Viscius
:: Today’s Song(s) ::
follow our daily playlist on Spotify
:: Stream Vagabon ::
