STEADIER THAN MY SHAME (Algebra 101)
Opens with an intricate Persian ney solo over a bed of subdued drone from the oud and qanun. The tabla enters, driving a syncopated fusion groove as the track morphs into a crisp techno/house beat. Layers of veena and additional qanun phrases interweave, creating lush ornamentation, while electronic bass pulses and synth flourishes merge the traditional with the modern. Verses alternate delicate plucked oud textures and percussive breaks, expanding into energetic, densely layered house drops, underpinned by intricate rhythms and hypnotic, evolving instrumentation throughout. Condensed: Begins with Persian ney, qanun, and oud over drone, adding tabla for syncopated rhythm. Transitions to techno house with electronic bass, crisp beats, and layered veena and qanun. Rich traditional instrumentation interweaves with modern textures in energetic, evolving sections.
STEADIER THAN MY SHAME (Algebra 101)
Opens with an intricate Persian ney solo over a bed of subdued drone from the oud and qanun. The tabla enters, driving a syncopated fusion groove as the track morphs into a crisp techno/house beat. Layers of veena and additional qanun phrases interweave, creating lush ornamentation, while electronic bass pulses and synth flourishes merge the traditional with the modern. Verses alternate delicate plucked oud textures and percussive breaks, expanding into energetic, densely layered house drops, underpinned by intricate rhythms and hypnotic, evolving instrumentation throughout. Condensed: Begins with Persian ney, qanun, and oud over drone, adding tabla for syncopated rhythm. Transitions to techno house with electronic bass, crisp beats, and layered veena and qanun. Rich traditional instrumentation interweaves with modern textures in energetic, evolving sections.
Lyrics
I swore my life to you—every vow was true.
Now I’m standing here, steadier than my shame,
holding the pieces up to the light,
asking when our warmth slipped out of frame.
I know the damage I made. I stepped off the path.
I can’t rewind my hands or hush the past.
I can’t unmurmur the lie I breathed,
but I’ll carry the cost until it leaves.
(Why did I let our fire fade?)
(I was blind to the burn I made.)
(How could I step away from us?)
(I lost myself; I shattered trust.)
I still love you, though my chest is torn.
I own what I did, and my soul still mourns.
I don’t understand how we fell apart—
but even in ruins, you live in my heart.
Nights don’t sleep. They press on my eyes.
I trade breath for a thousand tries.
I never meant to make you bleed—
love turns feral when it runs on need.
Your silence cuts; the echoes sting.
I hold our memory like a ring—
circles of thunder, circles of gold.
Even cracked, this faith won’t fold.
I still love you, though the pain is real.
I’m begging the future to learn how to heal.
I don’t know when we slipped away,
but if you reach once, I’ll stay.
(Can you see me beyond my mistakes?)
—I’m more than the bruise my apology makes.
(Can we rebuild? Can we call back the flame?)
—If you whisper yes, I’ll speak your name.
I still love you; I won’t let go—
through smoke, through shadow, through undertow.
I don’t understand, but my heart stays true.
If there’s a door, I’m walking to you.
Even with the damage done,
I choose us—one by one.
I still love you…
loud and true.