Synthpop Single Review: “Given You” by Liz Van Gretsch

by Karl Magi

Liz Van Gretsch’s “Given You” flows directly into life with her ardent vocals carrying a melody bursting with yearning and complex confusion as the thudding underpinnings shape the music’s motion. 

Tripping synth flickers with a crystalline sheen while the steady foundation throbs and Liz Van Gretsch pours out her soul, capturing the mixed hurt and passion in her lyrics. The underlayer moves with the undulating tones while the vocals climb with unbroken, blazing desire leavened by the reality of the situation. 

The guitar flashes and Peredur ap Gwynedd wraps the vocal performance in layers of power and glowing light as the pounding bass and sharp drums drive. Floating notes move with the gleaming guitar as the song moves to an end.

In spite of being everything she needs, the song’s subject is walking away and our storyteller pleads, "come here, don't be stupid and foolish, we are too in love for you to go." She's been listening to everything the other person has said and noticing their every touch.

Knowing that "I've given you all," the narrator adds that sometimes the song’s subject sees her staring back at them. She says, "you make it hard for me to breathe and I guess you feel it too." Throughout their relationship, she says that "I've tried my best to make sense of all this mess" and concludes, "I'm yours forever, never, never hide. "