Audio (feat. Sia, Diplo, and Labrinth)

"Audio" by LSD is a jubilant celebration of the transformative and unifying power of music. The song's central theme revolves around the idea that sound and rhythm are essential for a vibrant, meaningful existence. The repeated references to "audio" function as a metaphor for a heightened state of being, a form of escapism, and a catalyst for connection and euphoria. The lyrics paint a picture of a perfect night out, filled with adventure, love, and a sense of infinite possibility. Phrases like "We got the stars, we got audio" and "We're gonna fly, we're getting high" suggest that music has the power to elevate an ordinary experience into something magical and transcendent. It's not just about listening to a song; it's about being fully immersed in the sound to the point where it feels like a superpower, making the protagonists feel like superheroes. The declaration in the bridge, "We can't live on without the rhythm," serves as the song's core thesis, positioning music not as a luxury but as a fundamental necessity for life and human connection.

The song narrates a thrilling, almost cinematic, nocturnal adventure shared between two people. They have everything they need for a perfect escape: a vehicle for the journey, the darkness of the night, a bottle to share, and a light to guide them. Surrounded by a celestial canopy of stars and moon dust, their experience is amplified and unified by a powerful, ever-present soundtrack, referred to simply as "audio". This isn't just background music; it's the very fabric of their reality, the force that allows them to feel like they're flying and getting high on life itself. The chorus acts as a creative pact and an invitation, a call and response where one provides the irresistible, explosive "bomb bomb beat," and the other crafts the sweet melody. This musical creation is so enchanting and magnetic that it promises a deep connection, a feeling of coming home together.

As the journey continues, the narrative shifts from external elements to internal strength. The pair possess the essential human qualities of heart and soul, which serve as a defiant force against a world that might seem hopeless. Love itself becomes a tangible presence, arriving through the medium of their shared "audio." This sense of empowerment escalates to a feeling of invincibility, as they see themselves as superheroes, soaring high with an 'S' on their chests, accompanied by the iconic glamour of a Marilyn Monroe figure. They feel like stars, not just under them, because the music has transformed their perception of reality. The bridge of the song elevates this idea into a universal declaration: life is unsustainable without rhythm. It's a fundamental truth, a repeated mantra that emphasizes music's vital role in existence. The song closes on this powerful assertion, solidifying the central theme that the right sound, the perfect "audio," is not merely an accessory to life but the very essence of a vibrant, love-filled, and transcendent experience.

"Audio" is the second single from the musical supergroup LSD, comprised of British musician Labrinth, Australian singer-songwriter Sia, and American producer Diplo. The song was released on May 10, 2018. The formation of LSD itself was somewhat serendipitous. Diplo revealed that the group came together after he was invited to write a song with Labrinth and Sia. He was so impressed by their creative chemistry and "crazy ideas" that he took on the role of producer to help structure their creations. An anecdote shared by Diplo sheds light on the song's specific origin: during a studio session, the mixing board failed, and they couldn't get any sound to play. While engineers worked to fix the issue, Sia and Labrinth began spontaneously singing about the lack of "audio." Once the technical problem was resolved, the impromptu jam session had already formed the basis of the song, making perfect sense in retrospect. The track was recorded in 2018 across several studios, including locations in Los Angeles, London, and Hamburg. The song was written by Sia Furler, Timothy McKenzie (Labrinth), Thomas Wesley Pentz (Diplo), Henry Agincourt Allen (King Henry), Gustave Rudman, and Philip Meckseper (Jr Blender). The production team was a collaborative effort between the core members and other producers.

"Audio" employs a straightforward and effective rhyme and rhythm scheme that enhances its pop appeal and energetic feel. The song is built on a foundation of simple, perfect rhymes, primarily in an AABB couplet structure within the verses, such as "night" with "light" and "high" with "sky". This makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. The chorus also uses simple rhymes like "melody" and "me," reinforcing its catchy nature. The rhythm is firmly rooted in a 4/4 time signature, characteristic of dance-pop music. The tempo is upbeat and driving, encouraging movement and contributing to the song's overall feeling of euphoria. Diplo's production features a prominent, propulsive beat with elements of trap and EDM, creating a strong rhythmic backbone. The vocal delivery from Sia and Labrinth often follows this rhythm closely, but they also use syncopation to add interest and a sense of playful energy. The interplay between the steady musical rhythm and the more fluid vocal rhythms creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience, culminating in the bridge's chant-like repetition of "We can't live on without the rhythm," which directly highlights the song's central rhythmic theme.

"Audio" showcases a blend of distinctive musical and literary techniques that define the LSD project's unique sound.

• Vocal Harmony and Contrast: The song prominently features the contrasting yet complementary vocal styles of Sia and Labrinth. Sia's powerful, soaring vocals, known for their emotional intensity and unique cracking quality, are balanced by Labrinth's smoother, soulful delivery. Their harmonization on the chorus creates a rich, layered texture.
• Hybrid Production: Diplo's production is a hallmark of the track, blending elements from different genres. It has the structure of a pop song but is infused with electronic and dance-pop sensibilities, including a prominent 808-style trap beat. This fusion creates a sound that is both commercially accessible and sonically interesting.
• Repetitive, Hook-Driven Chorus: The chorus, with its simple and catchy lines "Make the bomb, bomb beat, I'll give you melody," is a classic pop technique designed for maximum memorability. This repetition, combined with Diplo's playful interjections, makes the song an infectious earworm.
• Atmospheric Instrumentation: The song uses lush synths and a driving beat to create a euphoric and expansive atmosphere. The production builds dynamically, starting with a more subdued feel in the verses and exploding into a full, energetic soundscape in the chorus, mirroring the lyrical themes of flight and release.
• Simple, Evocative Imagery: Lyrically, the song employs straightforward but powerful imagery (e.g., "I got the bottle, you got the light," "You got the moon dust, I got the sky"). This technique allows the listener to easily paint a mental picture of the scene, making the themes of escape and adventure feel immediate and relatable.

"Audio" was released as the second single from the supergroup LSD and played a significant role in establishing the trio's psychedelic pop sound. While it may not have reached the same chart-topping heights as their subsequent single "Thunderclouds," it was a critical part of building momentum for their debut album, "Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present... LSD." The song's music video, directed by Ernest Desumbila, garnered significant attention for its creative blend of live-action and surreal, psychedelic animation, which visually defined the group's aesthetic. The video features Diplo and Labrinth, while Sia is represented by a giant, floating animated balloon avatar, continuing her tradition of not showing her face. "Audio" found a place in popular culture through its inclusion on the soundtrack for the popular video game NBA 2K20. It was also featured during Fortnite's virtual Ariana Grande concert in 2021, exposing the track to a massive global audience. Critically, the song was seen as a solid entry in the pop landscape of the time, praised for its catchy hook and the successful blending of the three artists' distinct styles. It helped solidify LSD's identity as a unique and vibrant force in mainstream pop music.

The song "Audio" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that elevate its meaning beyond a simple pop track.

• Audio as a Life Force: The most significant metaphor is the term "audio" itself. It represents more than just sound waves; it symbolizes a transcendent, euphoric state of being and the very rhythm of life. The line "We can't live on without the rhythm" explicitly states this, equating music with a vital, life-sustaining force.
• Flight and Height: The recurring imagery of flying and getting high ("We're gonna fly, we're getting high") serves as a metaphor for the liberating and exhilarating power of music. It's a non-chemical high, an escape from the mundane into a state of pure joy and freedom.
• Cosmic Imagery: The references to "stars" and "moon dust" create a cosmic, dreamlike landscape. This imagery suggests that the experience fueled by the "audio" is otherworldly and limitless, connecting the personal, emotional journey to the vastness of the universe.
• Superhero Personas: The line "flyin' high, superhero / S on my chest, with my Marilyn Monroe" symbolizes the sense of empowerment and invincibility that music can instill. The 'S' could refer to Sia, but more broadly it's the classic Superman emblem, representing extraordinary power, while the mention of Marilyn Monroe adds a touch of timeless glamour and stardom to this empowered state.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song "Audio," reinforcing its central themes and enhancing its memorability.

• "We got audio": This is the song's primary motif, appearing at the end of key lines in the verses. Its repetition establishes "audio" as the essential element that powers the entire experience described in the song. It's the magical ingredient that, combined with the night, stars, and love, creates a transcendent state.
• "Make the bomb, bomb beat, I'll give you melody": This line forms the core of the infectious chorus. It functions as a hook and a summary of the creative collaboration, representing the synergy between the beat (Diplo), the melody (Sia/Labrinth), and the resulting emotional connection ("you gon' come home with me"). Its repetition makes it the song's most recognizable lyrical component.
• "Play that audio": This phrase, delivered by Diplo in a more spoken, rhythmic style, acts as a recurring interjection. It serves as a call to action, breaking the sung melody and directly commanding the listener (and the artists themselves) to engage with the music, reinforcing the song's theme of active immersion in sound.
• "We can't live on without the rhythm": Repeated insistently in the bridge, this phrase is the song's most direct thematic statement. Its recurrence acts as a powerful mantra, elevating the song's message from a description of a fun night to a universal declaration about the necessity of music for human existence.