BODHI Embraces It All in Smooth New Single “Velvet Blues”
BODHI (they/them) is not your typical folk singer songwriter. They grew up attending a predominantly white, Christian, private school, which, as a Black queer kid, resulted in feelings of isolation. Music became an important part of BODHI’s life as a form of comfort and support. Now, BODHI has turned this safe space into a career.
Speaking on their latest single, BODHI shares, “‘Velvet Blues’ is about being comfortable in your worst state. Whether that be mental health, a toxic relationship, a breakup, etc. Using a contrast of the feel good melody and instrumental versus the straightforward and piercing lyricism, I wanted to tell that story of getting lost in the good and forgetting the bad."
BODHI dives straight in with their piercing lyricism, immediately asking someone, perhaps a partner, perhaps a friend, “Who do you think you are / Feeding me lies / Spooning me truths.” Right off the bat it’s clear that BODHI’s relationship is not in a perfect place. In the chorus they sing “Stuck in a mirror / god there’s never an escape from you,” highlighting the feeling of being trapped.
While the lyrics certainly expose BODHI’s doubts and negative feelings, the instrumentation feels like a reminder of the good. Full of slightly distorted guitars and soft drums, “Velvet Blues” invites the listener in and doesn’t challenge them in its composition. BODHI's accompanying voice floating about the instruments is as soft and smooth as the fabric mentioned in the song’s title. With the pleasant instrumentation, BODHI perfectly achieves the feeling of getting lost in the good and ignoring the bad. If one doesn’t pay close attention to the lyrics, the song appears to be a relaxing, easy listen.
