The Meaning Behind The Song: Tessellate by Alt-J

The Intriguing Story Behind Alt-J’s ‘Tessellate’

Alt-J’s song, Tessellate, is a tune that has captivated audiences for its mesmerizing beats and lyrics. From its release in 2012 on their debut album ‘An Awesome Wave’, the song has garnered a following of music enthusiasts who admire its intriguing meaning and unique rhythm. But what is the real story behind this song and what message does it carry?

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The Music Elements of Tessellate

Tessellate’s musical composition is a fusion of rock and electronic genres with heavy use of abstract sounds, unique vocal harmonies and multiple instruments. The pulsing beat and sharp melody give the song its hypnotic feel, underscored by strong lyrics and frontman Joe Newman’s vocals. The song has a mathematical and geometrical theme that highlights the use of tessellation and complementarity in design.

The Lyrics of Tessellate

At first glance, Tessellate might seem like a vague song, leaving listeners to interpret it as they see fit, but the lyrics carry a deeper message. The song is about a love triangle between two men and a woman, where the woman is the object of the two men’s love, a theme present in many of Alt-J’s songs. Here are some of the significant lyrics in the song that capture the narrative of the love triangle:

“Triangles are my favorite shape
Three points where two lines meet
Toe to toe, back to back, let’s go, my love; it’s very late
‘Til morning comes, let’s tessellate”

The song describes how the narrator’s love and the other man’s love become intertwined and how the woman becomes the common factor in this tessellation. The lyrics describe what seems like a hopeless situation in love, where the two men are caught in a cycle and unable to escape.

The Meaning Behind Tessellate

Tessellation is a mathematical term wherein two shapes fit perfectly together to cover a surface without gaps or overlaps. In the song, Tessellate is used metaphorically to describe the perfect connection between two people, the love that fits and covers the heart without any discrepancies.

However, the word ‘tessellate’ suggests something more, something more complex, and Alt-J captures this beautifully in the song. The narrator explores the limits of boundaries, limits of his own emotions, and the limits of his own experience, and it becomes apparent that sometimes the perfect connection is not enough to overcome these limits and boundaries. Hence, the metaphorical use of tessellation in the song suggests that the relationship and the love between the woman and the two men cannot last due to the limits of time, jealousy, and distance.

The Cultural Significance of Tessellate

The song has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming a staple in the indie music scene. It has been streamed millions of times around the world and has won the band many awards, including several nominations at the UK’s NME Awards.

Beyond its acclaim in the music industry, Tessellate has also become a cultural phenomenon, with its lyrics and theme used in a multitude of art pieces and designs. The song has spawned covers, mashups, and even the name of a Cambridge University conference in honor of the song’s geometric theme. It has become a symbol of the indie pop genre and a representation of unique and thought-provoking music.

The Legacy of Tessellate

Tessellate has become more than just a song but rather an archetype of Alt-J’s sound. It has cemented the band’s position in the music industry and left a lasting impact on its listeners. Its legacy remains, with a new generation of fans discovering its haunting beat and poetic lyrics.

In conclusion, Tessellate is a song that perfectly captures the mood of unrequited love, shaped by its mathematical theme of tessellation. It showcases Alt-J’s trademark of a unique sound, accompanied by profound lyrics that leave listeners with lasting impressions. The enduring significance of Tessellate has made it a part of contemporary music culture, and its message continues to resonate with people around the world.

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