All Things

“All Things'' is a ghostly and haunting, yet undeniably hopeful recounting of Annsofie’s personal journey with mental health. Following her debut single “Soft Dreams” (Nov. 12, ‘20) which similarly shines with perseverance and hope, Annsofie Salomon’s sophomore single displays her beautiful wavering voice complimented by divine organ and chaotic synthesizers—growing from sparse, dark and vulnerable, to powerful and triumphant.

Salomon introduces the story behind the song:

“When I was in my late twenties I found out that I have—and always have had—a few diagnoses. This new awakening shed a lot of light on memories from my childhood, teens and even adulthood, and it led to years of trying to fix myself with therapy and medication.

“When I turned 30 I was numb. My mind, which had always been in motion with too many impulses, was suddenly still. I was told that this reaction, feeling like a numb, medicated zombie, would pass. That feeling never came.

“I remember a specific autumn day when I was at the beach with my dog. Since my dog loves to swim, I have forced myself to become friends with the sea—the sounds, the smell and the feeling when overlooking it—but on this day, I couldn’t even hear the waves, I couldn’t catch any smells, I didn’t feel a thing. I was completely numb, and over the following days I said goodbye to Ritalin.

“I felt like I was coming out of a coma. I welcomed back the noise in my head—the constant inside banging, the impulses—but I also welcomed back my friend, the sea—the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves. I welcomed back never feeling really still again, but at least feeling something.”

We can recognize the arc of Salomon’s story clearly in “All Things”. The first half of the song is sparsely arranged and devoid of percussion, leaving Salomon’s wavering voice alone and distant in an empty soundscape. Halfway through however, the drums come powerfully in, mirroring her experience of feeling the power of the ocean once again. Yet, amidst the song’s newfound energy is also a subtle hint of instability, as synthesizers chaotically and unpredictably cut in and out; hinting towards Salomon’s final statement about the song:

“‘All Things’ is not a song to advocate for throwing medication in the toilet. I might one day need my medication again, but for now, I found, I need the noises more.”