One of the most interesting formats I believe a song can have is contrasted musical and lyrical content.

You know those songs that you belt in the car or dance to in your room, but only after reading the lyrics do you realize the true story that’s being told?

“Some Nights” by Fun sounds like a teenage anthem, but it’s really about a young man’s angst and self-doubt as he rises to fame. “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind had all the punk fans bopping their heads in the late 90s, but the song was really about the downfall of a crystal meth addict. It takes a very intelligent artist to be able to make listeners feel contrasting emotions in different ways, through music and lyrics. I believe Isak Danielson is doing this with his new single “Power”.

The 21 year old singer/songwriter has been described as an “old soul in a young man’s body” and I couldn’t agree more. His voice has been compared to Hozier and Anthony & The Johnsons, but he has said himself he draws inspiration from artists like Diane Warren, Amy Winehouse, Sam Smith, and Sia.

Danielson grew up in Hova, Sweden, and his interest in music led him to attend the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. In 2012, he became a contestant on X Factor Sweden, and ended up getting third place. His first EP, Volume One, was released in 2015. When one of the tracks, “Ending”, was featured in a choreography video posted by Maddie Ziegler, his streams increased and his true success began. Later, the song was also featured on So You Think You Can Dance and Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger. Since Volume One, Danielson has released two more albums and multiple singles. “Power” is the first single of 2019, and a great to start to his newest project.

The song begins with a very low, rich grand piano. Nothing flowery, but rather sure of itself. Danielson begins to sing, his voice sultry and very deep, resonate. You can almost feel it in your chest. Matching the title and theme of the song, the chorus is very powerful and impacting. He nails the high notes will a full chest voice, while in the verses, there are few moments where his voice gives in on high notes. This shows Danielson’s ability to weaken and strengthen his voice. He has an amazing amount of control.

In the first chorus, dual vocals and lyrics clash against each other while a clapping beat keeps time in the background. By the second chorus, there’s a sweeping, magical string section and a full set of drums. A choir sings the word “power” back to him. The call-and-response, funny enough, gives Danielson the most powerful role in the song.

I still look at you with eyes that want you.

When you move, you make my oceans move too.

If I hear my name, I will run your way.

In a twist of irony, though the music and vocals give Danielson the power through sound, the lyrics completely contrast this by giving his lover all the power. He’s attracted to her like a magnet; when she moves, he moves. His gravitates towards her. All she had to do is say his name, and he will drop everything to be with her.

Can we say that we love each other?

Can we play like there ain’t no other?

If I hear my name, I will run your way.

It’s my desire that you feed.

You know just what I need.

He wants the security of loving her and only her, and knowing she is doing the same in return. She gives him everything he needs and wants.

You got power over me.

I give my all now, cant you see?

Why wont you set me free?

You got power over me.

Up until now, the lyrics have made this relationship seem happy. But now there’s a bit of struggle on his part. He knows she has all the power. He has put everything into their love, but now he wants to be set free. Perhaps he is feeling trapped, or he thinks his feelings are not being reciprocated.

I was lost until I found me in you.

I saw a side of me that I was scared to,

but now I hear my name

and I’m running your way.

He didn’t know who he was until he met her; now, she defines him. Being with her has exposed his vulnerable side, made him look at himself and see everything, every good and bad part.

All I feel as I get closer to you

is the desire to move like you do,

so now I hear my name

and I’m running your way.

I am ready now.

As he gets to know her more and more, he wants to be like her, possess the traits and qualities she does. This may be a sign of loss of identity, a possible reason why he may want to be free: so he can find himself again.

You’re the one that seduced me,

lured me in with your beauty.

Now I know that you used me.

All you did was confuse me.

You’re no longer what I need.

Touch me slow, feel my heart bleed.

Now, at the end of the song, we finally get an idea of why he wants to end the relationship. He feels like he was manipulated into loving her just so she could have someone to adore her, and he sees it clearly now. He knows she isn’t good for him. All she did was hurt him.