Infinity Is A Great Place To Start

U2 “No Line On The Horizon”

“No Line On The Horizon” is just about the only song on the album of the same name that taps into the magic that defines U2’s best work, but it does so better than anything they have recorded since 1997, so I guess that’s something, right? Whereas most late-period U2 songs pin vague optimistic sentiment on to bright, wide-open sounds, “No Line…” has a darker tone and sounds like someone fighting hard to escape their doubt and frustration, and clinging desperately to some idealized person representing their hopes and aspirations. Taking the lyrics at face value, this person seems to be something of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and her insights are somewhat…cosmic. Her point — and Bono’s, of course — is essentially that the future is malleable, and so are we, and we should never feel as though our time is up while we’re still alive. As the song moves along, Bono sounds increasingly motivated, and by the end, he’s practically overflowing with excitement, and the feeling is contagious. Maybe this is what it’s like to be inside the head of a super-achiever?

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Animal Collective “Also Frightened”

Even though Avey Tare asks “Are you also frightened?” at the climax of this song, he does not seem at all fearful or cowardly. As the music sweeps up and his voice beckons out, it evokes a jolt of adrenaline, signals his bravery, and encourages our own. The sound answers his question: “Yes, maybe, but I don’t care. I’m going to do it anyway.” It’s the start of the adventure.

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