B-Side Guys

In “Massive Leaning,” Layperson, the musical persona of Portland’s Julian Morris, delves deep into the heart of grief, transforming personal turmoil into a poignant indie folk narrative. This track, emblematic of the wider thematic journey of Morris’s latest record, navigates the aftermath of life-altering loss with a grace and introspection that transcends the typical break-up album archetype. Drawing parallels with the soul-stirring melodies of Big Thief and the introspective depth of Elliott Smith, “Massive Leaning” stands as a testament to Morris’s ability to weave complex emotional landscapes into his music, offering listeners a raw, unguarded exploration of sorrow and the subsequent quest for spiritual rebirth.

The track is a careful orchestration of warm, resonant arrangements—guitars, keys, and pedal steel blend seamlessly with Morris’s gentle, melodic delivery, creating an ambiance that’s both comforting and introspective. “Massive Leaning” doesn’t shy away from the desolation of loneliness, yet it finds a unique beauty in solitude, likening it to a universal human experience as essential as hunger or thirst. This perspective imbues the song with a profound relatability, making the journey through grief feel less like a solitary path and more like a shared voyage towards healing and self-discovery.

Morris’s narrative arc in “Massive Leaning” is both personal and universal, charting a course from the depths of despair to the emergence of a newfound spiritual clarity. The lyrics—”I wanted a better body, I wanted a cleaner mind”—speak to a yearning for transformation, a desire to transcend the physical and emotional confines that grief imposes. This yearning is met with moments of stark realization, as the song’s protagonist grapples with the limitations of time and the inevitability of change. The track’s crescendo, marked by the repeated line “I see a massive leaning / And then it’s gone,” serves as a poignant metaphor for the fleeting nature of life’s certainties and the constant push and pull between holding on and letting go.

“Massive Leaning” is more than just a musical composition; it’s a narrative odyssey that encapsulates Morris’s journey through the darkest corridors of his psyche to the dawning of a new perspective. The record, as a whole, and this track, in particular, serve as a bridge between Morris’s past and future, marking a significant evolution in his artistic and personal identity. With “Massive Leaning,” Layperson invites listeners into a deeply introspective space, where the pain of loss coexists with the promise of renewal, and where grief, in all its complexity, is not just an end but a beginning.

In crafting this track and the accompanying album, Morris has not only charted his own path through the wilderness of grief but has also illuminated a way forward for others. “Massive Leaning” resonates as a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in our most profound moments of sorrow, there lies the potential for growth, transformation, and the rediscovery of self. Through Layperson’s musical lens, listeners are offered a glimpse into the transformative power of grief, making “Massive Leaning” a pivotal piece in the indie folk landscape and a significant milestone in Julian Morris’s evolving narrative.

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If you liked this track, check out this album: