USED TO by VeeAlwaysHere is a hauntingly introspective journey through memory, identity, and transformation. Embracing a lush, cerebral soundscape, the track invites us into a pristine sonic universe where echoes of early 2000s music intertwine with contemporary dark-pop tones. The song feels both grounded and ethereal, capturing an era’s essence while transcending its time, a bridge between nostalgia and the present.
In USED TO, VeeAlwaysHere channels a high emotional quotient that subtly explores the desire to reconcile one’s past self with the person they’ve become. The lyrics express both vulnerability and resilience, as the narrator grapples with the dual forces of change and memory: “I’ll show you I’m no longer that person in your mind / No, I’m not as I used to be.” This theme of self-reclamation invites listeners to reflect on their own transformations, the parts of themselves they’ve left behind, and those they’ve chosen to carry forward.
The opening line, “I got so much to prove / When it comes to you,” reveals an inner tension between past and present, evoking the feeling of being perpetually caught in an emotional loop. Yet there’s a poignant resolve to break free, embodied in the line, “I used to run / But I won’t right now.” This lyric resonates as a pledge to stay grounded and to confront vulnerability head-on, suggesting a readiness to finally embrace honesty in relationships and self-understanding.
As VeeAlwaysHere describes, USED TO is both a “love letter” to the music that inspired him and a deeply personal exploration of growth. The artist’s nostalgia isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it is integral to the song’s purpose, providing a textured tribute to the era that fueled his creative journey. The song’s sound is richly layered, as if the production itself is an instrument of memory, guiding listeners through emotive swells that feel simultaneously retro and innovative.
We are totally in awe of his performance in the music video, which sees the star in his emotional element, performing in a vintage, cinematic universe with press cuttings all over the way, as a metaphorical reference to his wider universal construct!
USED TO serves as a philosophical statement on time’s fluidity and the way music, and our relationship with it, moulds our identity. Just as music becomes a mirror reflecting back who we were and who we aspire to be, VeeAlwaysHere uses this track to convey a profound sense of longing, acceptance, and renewal. It’s a reminder that while we can never truly return to the past, we can honor it, transforming its lessons into something deeply meaningful for the present moment.
We have added the opus to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream VeeAlwaysHere‘s wider discography, including MIRACLE, and TAKE IT AWAY!