Julia Bhatt Provides Playful Cynicism in “On My Shoulder”

Genre-hopping musician, Julia Bhatt, is gearing up for the release of her new album it is what it is with the new folk-pop style single “On My Shoulder”. As the opening track, it bounces and flounces with a playful energy despite the more depressing lyrical content.

This is the kind of song that will subvert expectations in every line. In the bridge, for example, she starts off with something that feels both positive and cliché as she sings, “If you try a little harder then you’ll get there / Let it happen, you won’t know till you get there”. But this is never without a little twist ending as she quickly spirals downward, “But then you’ll wonder ‘what’s the point?’ when you get there”. The nearly paradoxical sense of playful cynicism makes for an odd, but strangely enjoyable and thoughtful listening experience. “There’s never a right way to mess up” she sings bittersweetly in the chorus, “There’s always a new way to give up”.

Speaking about the inspiration for this new track, Bhatt notes that “’On My Shoulder’ is about two halves constantly battling about what could have been,” she says. “One is ambitious and strict, while the other is carefree and relaxed. I think a lot of people usually settle into one side or the other at different points in their lives, but they never really stop questioning each other. At least, I don’t think they should”. Hope and depression coexist amicably within this divided consciousness as they frolic hand in hand through a grassy field.

Bhatt’s new album it is what it is is available today on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Find “On My Shoulder” and more exciting new music on our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown playlist on Spotify.