"Drawn Like a Magnet", track-by-track by Siri Neel
Photo credit: Julie Montauk
About the Album:
My album drawn Like a Magnet is a very personal album and a album with a collection of 8 songs. I intentionally chose to release 8 songs, as it was important to me that each one contributed meaningfully to the album as a cohesive whole. For me, Drawn Like a Magnet is a powerful testament that something beautiful and meaningful can emerge, even after hitting rock bottom.Ten years ago, I suffered a nerve damage that paralyzed both my voice and my promising career for six years. The road to recovery has been long, but here I am releasing my album which demonstrates that when you have the courage to face challenges, a new beginning can emerge – a journey towards freedom and authenticity. The songs are the result of having regained strength and beliefs and embrace what is imperfect. I truly hope to inspire others to find their inner strength and follow their true path, no matter where they are in life - and feel drawn like a magnet.
1. Drawn Like a Magnet
This single was co-written with the Swedish songwriter Jade Ell, who got to know me very deeply and quickly. We delved into the song's meaning together, and I felt incredibly safe sharing my inner emotions with her. The lyrics reflects an intense internal struggle to take the chance towards my dreams, breaking free from everything that keeps me stagnated and holds me back in life – It´s something that I have struggled with during my whole life. In order to move forward I need to break free from certain family relations, the breakdown of my voice, and the feeling that I didn’t have the right to take a chance on myself—all of these have shaped me. Now, I’m taking charge of my life and choosing to follow a path that, while uncertain, feels more authentic to me as an artist. I’ve decided to set myself free and pursue my dream.
2. Wrong Side
This song was written right after I had left my full-time job to step into a less certain life as an artist. I felt a huge responsibility as a mom of two, a wife, and with all the expectations that come with those roles. The song opens with a bold, captivating chorus and driving drums that was meant to drive the story forward. I hope the shifting tempo will allow for moments of reflection as well as giving a sense of movement and progress. The lyrics and the production support each other - explore life’s journey—the way we can feel stuck at times, yet seize new opportunities at others. The message is clear: we are never static; we are always evolving. Although I’ve felt static at points in my life, I believe each period has its purpose.
3. Into the Night
After years with my partner ( since I was 17!) I have learned that disagreements are invitable, but what truly matters is how we reconnect. This is my version of a love song. The song deals with the ups and downs that come with a long-term relationship and how love can overcome even the toughest times. It serves as a reminder that sometimes it takes effort to find your way back to each other, but it is often worth the fight.
4. I'm a Maze
For many years, I have felt trapped in a maze, where the path to believing in myself has been anything but straightforward. I'm a Maze is about finally finding the way to embrace all of my sides - the strong and the quirky in order to embrace my authentic path in life. The song was born during a songwriting session in Stockholm. We had a very playful approach and free expectations to create something quirky which helps to let go of any barriers. It was a very organic approach with instruments. I remember singing out the topline almost immediately, with the words "I'll never let you go". My process usually involves taking the initial ideas home to refine the words and melody, which I did for this track as well. As a result, I've been working on it for over a year now and have been growing with the song.
5. Oxygen
I feel this song is the heart of the album: "It’s like I’m underwater, out of oxygen, but maybe all the pain will help me breathe again". I feel this metaphor captures the feeling of being trapped in the darkness of personal insecurities and past struggles, hitting rock bottom. However, Oxygen is more than just a reflection on pain. It tells a story of how the ability to accept past challenges is the key to rebuilding oneself. It´s a very personal song and reflect my life. It´s a song that truely reveals a lot of the pain I have dealt with during my life and how I have struggled with my selfworth.
6. I Bet You Know
This song has been through so many process´ of writing as I am really particular. And after many retries I am very pleased with the song. I Bet You Know explores the courage it takes to show vulnerability in a relationship and trust that your vulnerability will be caught. Our intention with the pulsating beats were to enhance the intensity of the emotions that delves into ranging from deep vulnerability to longing. I feel I was allowed to express BIG emotions in the end and I tried to bravely surrender to them hoping to create a powerful emotional depth in the song.
7. Still Love You
´Still Love You´ is an intimate ballad where I explore the deepest foundations of love. It’s about unconditional love that remains steady through all of life’s changes. Honestly, I wrote this song about my teenage daughter, who I love and admire deeply. I know that one day I’ll have to let her go as she steps into her own future. I feel the simplicity in the production allowed me to be vulnerable and express both my fragility and strength in the same breath. The strings gave my voice the space to carry the weight of what I’m feeling, and I hope it will resonnate with the listerners.
8. I Cry
I wanted the album to end with a grand pop ballad, where I fully embrace my identity and take my place in my vulnerability. With a message that it’s okay to cry over both the beautiful and difficult aspects of life, I hope to close the album with a powerful reminder that strength and vulnerability go hand in hand. I hope the song wraps up the album with a sense of release and determination. I feel ´I Cry´ sets a strong conclusion to a journey toward liberation and authenticity.