What It Sounds Like

by Huntrx Ejae Audrey Nuna Rei Ami

Nothing but the truth now
Nothing but the proof of what I am
The worst of what I came from, patterns I'm ashamed of
Things that even I don't understand
I tried to fix it, I tried to fight it
My head was twisted, my heart divided
My lies all collided
I don't know why I didn't trust you to be on my side
I broke into a million pieces, and I can't go back
But now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass
The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like
Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head?
I should've let the jagged edges meet the light instead
Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony
The song we couldn't write, this is what it sounds like
We're shattering the silence, we're rising defiant
Shouting in the quiet, you're not alone
We listened to the demons, we let them get between us
But none of us are out here on our own
So we were cowards, so we were liars
So we're not heroes, we're still survivors
The dreamers, the fighters, no lying, I'm tired
But dive in the fire and I'll be right here by your side
We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back
But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass
The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like (ah)
Why did we cover up the colors stuck inside our head?
Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead
Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony
Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like
(Oh, oh)
This is what it sounds like
Hey! (Oh-oh, oh-oh), hey! (Oh-oh)
This is what it sounds like
Hey! (Oh-oh, oh-oh), hey! (Oh-oh)
This is what it sounds like
Hey! (Oh-oh), hey! (Oh-oh)
This is what it (sounds like), this is what it
This is what it sounds like
We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back
But now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass
The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like
Why did we cover up the colors stuck inside our head?
Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead
Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony
Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like (between, ah)
Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like (they know me)
Truth after all this time, our voices all combined
When darkness meets the light, this is what it sounds like

Interpretations

MyBesh.com Curated

User Interpretation
# The Beautiful Transformation of Brokenness: Analyzing "What It Sounds Like"

In "What It Sounds Like," Huntrx, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami craft an anthem of radical authenticity that explores the painful yet liberating journey toward self-acceptance. At its core, the song presents a profound message about embracing one's complete identity—including the damaged, imperfect parts—and finding beauty in vulnerability. The opening lines, "Nothing but the truth now/Nothing but the proof of what I am," establish this commitment to authenticity, while acknowledging the difficulty of confronting "patterns I'm ashamed of" and "things that even I don't understand." This emotional excavation forms the foundation of the song's central thesis: true healing begins with honest self-examination.

The emotional landscape of the track navigates a remarkable transformation from shame to empowerment. The verses articulate the raw pain of hiding one's true self, the anxiety of potential rejection, and the exhaustion of maintaining facades. However, the chorus pivots toward resilience with the powerful declaration: "We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back/But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass." This emotional progression from vulnerability to strength creates a compelling arc that mirrors the universal human experience of healing. What makes the song particularly affecting is how it acknowledges both states simultaneously—pain and beauty coexist rather than one replacing the other.

The metaphor of shattered glass runs throughout the composition, functioning as the song's central symbolic framework. The broken pieces represent fragmented identity, painful experiences, and emotional wounds—yet they're reframed as sources of unique beauty and authenticity. The lyrics "The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony" brilliantly express how opposing elements can create something whole and beautiful. Similarly, the "colors stuck inside my head" and "jagged edges" imagery suggests that our most difficult traits and experiences often contain our most vibrant and distinctive qualities. These literary devices transform the abstract concept of self-acceptance into visceral, visual experiences for the listener.

What elevates "What It Sounds Like" beyond a simple personal narrative is its seamless shift from individual to collective healing. The pronouns notably transition from "I" to "we" midway through the song, expanding its scope to address communal healing and shared struggle. Lines like "We're shattering the silence, we're rising defiant/Shouting in the quiet, you're not alone" position vulnerability as not merely a personal journey but a revolutionary act that connects us with others. This collective dimension adds socio-cultural significance to the track, suggesting that authentic self-expression creates ripples of healing beyond the individual, challenging societal expectations that often pressure us to present curated, flawless versions of ourselves.

The artists' delivery reinforces this thematic development through vocal performances that embody both fragility and strength. The structure of the song itself mirrors its message—beginning with quieter, more hesitant expressions before building to confident, assertive declarations. The repetition of "This is what it sounds like" functions both as a refrain and a performative statement; the artists aren't just describing authenticity but demonstrating it through their voices. This artistic choice creates a meta-layer where form and content perfectly align, making the song not just about authenticity but an embodiment of it.

Perhaps the most profound achievement of "What It Sounds Like" is how it redefines our understanding of wholeness. Rather than presenting healing as a return to some unblemished state, the lyrics suggest that integration of our damaged parts creates something more beautiful and truthful than perfection ever could. The repeated assertion that "we can't go back" paired with finding "beauty in the broken glass" offers listeners a transformative framework for approaching their own wounds and imperfections. In a culture obsessed with curated personas and aspirational living, this message resonates deeply, explaining why the song strikes such a chord with diverse audiences. It gives voice to the universal human experience of feeling broken yet finding unexpected strength in that very brokenness—teaching us that our authentic voice, with all its cracks and imperfections, creates the most beautiful and resonant sound of all.
Posted on Aug 5, 2025 by Athena