Luke Hemmings crafts a dreamy, melancholic world in his latest song, "Shakes."

Written By: Mikaila Storrs

Luke Hemmings embarked on his solo music journey, apart from 5 Seconds of Summer, during the pandemic. This marked the first time he experienced a period of stillness since he was 16 years old. His debut album reflects the introspection and challenges he faced during this newfound downtime.

Fast forward three years, and Luke Hemmings is stepping into a fresh chapter of his music career with his upcoming EP, "boy." Leading the way is the dreamy single titled "Shakes," which he says was written on a dreary night in New York and focuses on the feelings of longing for love and self-acceptance.

In "Shakes," Luke grapples with the pangs of loneliness while being away from home. His heart yearns for the familiar embrace of home or someone who embodies that feeling. Intriguingly, he penned this song, along with the others on his forthcoming EP, amidst the bustling energy of touring with his band and being surrounded by people in vibrant cities. Yet, despite the outward busyness and companionship, he still experiences a deep sense of isolation. This dichotomy reflects a universal feeling where one can be physically surrounded by others yet emotionally adrift, leading to a perpetual cycle of melancholy and alienation.

Some notable lyrics from the song include: "I feel it coming, my blood is wine/ Oh, I can't help but chase you, my butterfly/ I wanna go out in my sleep now (Ah), so I don't feel no pain." These lines capture the overwhelming emotions of longing, intertwined with a desire to escape the pain of sadness and isolation. It reflects the struggle of grappling with intense emotions that sometimes become too much to bear, leaving us unsure of how to navigate and process them. You find yourself constantly yearning to seek solace in those who truly understand you, and when unable to do so, you descend into a deep sadness.

Overall, the song evokes a sense of melancholy, portraying the bittersweet longing for a deep connection with someone who is not physically present but being grateful that you have that person. I can’t wait to listen to the rest of the EP and delve deeper into this melancholy world he created for “boy”.