philine's (The)Truth of Living in Reality
philine knows exactly what to say, how to say it, and most importantly, how to make us feel it. After her debut EP the side-effects of living in a fantasy, the Dutch singer-songwriter invites us once again into her very own headspace with her new project the truth of living in reality. The six-piece EP is raw, emotional, and hits right where it hurts. There is a certain honesty in her sounds, with minimalistic, alternative pop/indie/Alt-Z sounds and her stunning voice telling us about struggles, uncertainties, love, and ultimately about the reality of life, underlining philine's talent as a singer, songwriter, and introspective storyteller.
waste a life
Waste a life is the first song of philine's EP, the truth of living in reality, and one of my favorites of this EP. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to stay in a positive mindset while simultaneously questioning yourself and being scared you will ruin things. philine managed to transform this feeling into a song. Waste a life sets the theme for the album, with its storytelling, introspective songwriting, and honest character. Two of my favorite lyrics, cutting deep and offering a glimpse into philine's mind, are:
Like my mother said / If you think that’s gonna happen / It’s all you get” and “Cause I’m always scared of losing it / It’s gonna end up ruining all the good I get / And I don’t wanna waste a life like that
ten years time
Following waste a life, ten years time explores how it feels to feel uncertainty about life while simultaneously offering a quiet reassurance. It feels like talking to a friend on a late night, sitting outside on the patio, reminding us about the importance of finding comfort in where we are and how we are feeling right now, and not always worrying about what the future may hold. One of my favorite lyrics in this song is definitely:
Forget about ten years time / Forget about down the line / Just focus on the feeling that you can’t resist / Right here in the moment’s where the magic is
the devil's advocate
With the feel of an inner monologue, the devil’s advocate captures the inner fight between conviction and doubt, trying to navigate the pull between purpose and nihilism.
There’s one believing in a purpose / The other one is nihilistic / Says we’re just doing our time / And I don’t know who’s right
philine reveals her vulnerability, struggles with self-doubt, and fear of disagreement.
What if I wanna speak my mind / But you don’t think I’m right
By revealing her inner battles, she lets us look deep into her mind and struggles, making it hard not to find ourselves in her words.
Because the more I grow / The less I seem to know
These lyrics are those that really stay with you. Growing up means knowing less as we learn more, and I love how philine managed to include it in this song.
heavy
Heavy unfolds as an intimate confession, with heartfelt pleading of someone else to help.
So stuck in my head / I need me back into my body / Would you kiss my neck /A bring me back to where you know me
The lyrics hit close to home, as we all probably felt ourselves slip and wished for someone to help ease the weight.
When did it get so heavy / When did it get so loud / And how did it get so blurry / How do I gain back sight
philine wrote heavy in the middle of the night, revealing that for her it was a way to communicate how she was feeling to her girlfriend. It’s a reminder that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. This song felt even more personal than the others, delivering even more emotion and making it one of my favorites from this EP.
josie
And I’d love to / Get closure / But you’re not gonna give it / I know that / Josie
Josie is a quiet goodbye to self-doubt incarnated in another person. Again, the lyrics feel deeply personal, cutting straight to the bone. The song is about the strength of letting go of someone who wasn’t good to you, even though you do not receive the closure you deserve. With lyrics like:
You could’ve been a little more kind to me" and “You didn’t like my music, never liked my clothes / You’d always criticize me, made me feel so small / Was always in your way when we were at your home
She describes a toxic relationship with a person who doesn’t see or deserve you. The song reminds us that we only realize later how much actions affected us and how we have the power to receive closure without anyone else.
new year's eve
New year’s eve marks the last song on philine's exceptional and deeply personal EP. This time, the song slowly unfolds.
There was a thing between you two / I even teased her with it when / She got all nervous around you” to “Now when I kiss her it’s you I see / You used to mean so much to me / But everything changed since / New Year’s Eve
The song unfolds into something deeper than heartbreak. It’s about how endings linger, how ghosts of the past creep into the present, and how hard change can be.
the truth of living in reality - an embodiment of emotion
The theme throughout the truth of living in reality is not just describing how philine feels, it is the embodiment of every emotion – heartbreak, overthinking, regret. All feels deeply personal and relatable. The songs are not just songs; they are stories. Each one lets us peek into philine’s headspace. She was not afraid of showing herself, her mistakes, her hurt, and most importantly, how to keep going. Each track stands as a testament to philine's remarkable talent as a singer, songwriter, and storyteller. For me, she’s undoubtedly an artist to watch out for, inviting us on a journey where every song awakens a feeling and offers a glimpse into her mind.
Congratulations on your incredible EP, philine! For those reading this right now, what are you waiting for...
...LISTEN TO "THE TRUTH OF LIVING IN REALITY" HERE:
REVIEW BY
Laura
The excitement and emotions of loving something so deeply, let it be a musician, song, concert, books or even sports, has always been a prevalent and influencing part of my life. Time goes by so quickly, and I love to indulge in the sense of community being experienced in music, with book-lovers or sports fans. My favorite part is the very connection you share with people, strangers becoming friends and the joy of discovering something new that you learn to love. Sharing my passions, newest discoveries, new/old recommendations and so much more is what brings me joy in my spare time and is what I like to do as a writer for this magazine.
