We previously featured Laji George for blending grunge-inspired emotion and heartfelt storytelling on his healing and cathartic sophomore single, Day I Died, so when we heard that the artist was back with Washed Away, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Washed Away opens with an intricate electric guitar soundscape as Laji sings, “I’m washed away, floating alone, the waves pulled me, deep into you, you pushed me out, I walked away from the shores, I’ve lost my way…”. During this vulnerable opening delivery, we are greeted by rolling, textured drums, akin to waves. Ethereal ad-libs cement this onomatopoeic universe.
Again, there is a deep-rooted grunge sensibility at play here that fans of Soundgarden, Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana and Queens of the Stone Age would be able to connect with. It is clear that Laji George is writing from a place of authenticity and we appreciate his poetic prowess and the emotional resonance that manifests.
We learn that at the heart of Washed Away is a question inspired by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It asks the highly relatable question of what if we could erase the memories of someone we loved simply to escape the pain of losing them? We really connect with how the artist explores the complicated reality that painful memories can still form an important part of who we are. The desire to wash everything away sits alongside the recognition that forgetting may not actually mean healing.
There is no doubt that Washed Away holds a cinematic allure. In addition to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, we could easily imagine the track finding a natural home in Euphoria, The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Normal People.
We are particularly impressed by the production partnership between Laji and Jonah Brockman. The song was recorded between Laji’s home studio and Jonah’s studio, the process deliberately remained intimate and independent. “The best music isn’t made to impress people; it’s made to connect with them. At the end of the day, heartbreak, loss, and the drive to keep moving forward look the same in every language and every age. If Washed Away helps even one person process what they’re going through and feel a little less alone in the dark, then every single note was worth recording,” shares the visionary and compassionate musician.
As a New York City-based solo artist and frontman of Pseutopia, Laji George has already performed at Summerfest and continues to build toward the release of his debut solo album, Out of Line. Needless to say, Washed Away leaves a lasting impression. We have added the track to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Laji George and anticipate the entirety of Out of Line.