“Once you let fear go / You will be free again, flying.” Sebastian Hope, the frontman of Chilean rock band Van Hope, is speaking some serious truth. The aforementioned excerpted lyrics hail from “Urban Mantra,” the closing song from the band’s 2019 album, We Have Nothing, We Want it All. Often, the connotation of the word ‘mantra’ is positive, often associated with a great formula or means to live life. Merriam-Webster defines mantra as “a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated by someone who is praying or meditating.” Again, prayer and meditation often carry a positive connotation; refreshing and therapeutic if you will.
According to Hope, “Urban Mantra” is “Magic…energy and pure liberation: it’s the right song to fall in slow motion.” He goes on to say that in the context of the album, “Urban Mantra” contrasts other songs. So, in the context of Music to Atone to, how does “Urban Mantra” fit? This gorgeous therapeutic gem atones for fear, pain, and life itself.
“When I wrote ‘Urban Mantra,’ I did it on my guitar, but soon I realized it would go so much better with nothing but a piano on it.” Once again, Sebastian Hope speaks some serious truth, this time regarding the music itself. The backdrop is keyboard driven, with strings amplifying the emotion, not to mention Hope’s powerful, nuanced pipes. From the start lyrically, the listener senses that he’s the spiritual advisor, encouraging flight from barriers that can break you down. “Heal your wounds, breathe again,” he sings at the onset, continuing, “Stare at the sun, run till your breath is gone / Feel that body you own.” There’s also the awesome second verse, featuring lyrics, “Clear your mind, feed your soul /… Give yourself the chance to fall and get up again.”
Picking yourself up and failing to give up, even should you fall, is the big, relatable, takeaway Van Hope superbly expresses throughout “Urban Mantra.” And honestly, if we eliminated fear, wouldn’t life be that much more satisfying?
You can learn more Van Hope about here:
About The Curator - Brent Faulkner
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype (https://themusicalhype.com). When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event.
