B-Side Guys

In a landscape cluttered with coming-of-age narratives, “Orion” emerges as something more nuanced – a meditation on innocence that understands its value precisely because it’s slipping away. Tobi LaCroix’s latest single demonstrates a songwriter who’s mastered the art of turning personal revelation into universal reflection.

The production creates a delicate balance between intimacy and grandeur, building from quiet piano foundations to cinematic swells that mirror the emotional arc of growing up. Each element feels purposefully placed, creating space for LaCroix’s vocals to carry both vulnerability and surprising strength.

The lyrics reveal a sophisticated understanding of metaphor, with astronomical imagery serving as more than mere decoration. When LaCroix sings “If my heart were a cliff/My mind would fall,” he demonstrates an ability to craft vivid imagery that serves emotional truth rather than just poetic pretense.

What’s particularly striking is how the arrangement respects the silence between notes. The Interlochen Arts Academy student shows remarkable restraint in his composition, allowing moments of quiet contemplation to carry as much weight as the song’s more dramatic peaks. This architectural approach to songwriting suggests influences beyond his cited inspirations of Hozier and Queen.

The chorus transforms the constellation Orion from celestial observer to confidant, creating a powerful metaphor for the way childhood wonder transforms into adult understanding. The repeated plea for the stars to “Watch over my foolish head” carries different weight with each iteration, gaining gravity as the song progresses.

In the bridge section, LaCroix demonstrates his classical training through subtle harmonic choices that add depth to seemingly simple progressions. The piano work here reveals years of study while maintaining an organic feel that serves the song’s emotional core.

The production quality matches the material’s maturity, with every element balanced to support rather than overwhelm the central narrative. The mix creates a sonic landscape that feels both contemporary and timeless, avoiding trendy production choices that might date the material.

The song’s final third brings its themes full circle, with the observation that “life is better said than done” landing with particular impact. It’s here that LaCroix’s theatrical background shines through in his delivery, though never at the expense of authenticity.

“Orion” serves as both elegy for lost innocence and celebration of growing wisdom. In LaCroix’s hands, the inevitable process of growing up becomes not just subject matter but art form, suggesting an artist whose journey is just beginning but whose destination seems increasingly clear.