Ordinary Life by We Are the Union

Artist: We Are the Union 

Album: Ordinary Life 

Release: June 4, 2021; Bad Time Records 

This week I thought I might try something new. I typically do not do track by track reviews, but I feel like today is special so I am going to share my first ever track by track.  It is for “Ordinary Life” by We Are the Union. It is one of my favorite albums of the last several years. It is definitely in the top 5 ska albums of all time. When “Ordinary Life” was announced, it was billed as singer Reade Wolcott’s trans coming out album that follows her journey to becoming the person she truly is. 

1. “Pasadena” has such an iconic opening. ‘You woke up to an empty apartment in Pasadena’ is an amazing lyric for setting the stage for the song and frankly the album as well. To top that off, Reade’s vocal delivery is stunning. The way the guitar cold opens the song and ramps into the aforementioned first line of the song is stellar.  Then the guitar keeps delivering the goods all the way through the song and into the solo about midway through. I am typically a person that likes to focus on lyrics but the music of this song just rips so hard. It’s almost an ironic juxtaposition that lyrically the song is about dealing with the monotony of life because the music is anything but mundane.    

2. “Morbid Obsessions” is about the struggle between expectations that are placed on you by life and family. How a lot of toxicity can be generated when you try to shove yourself into those expectations. Ultimately, the song comes to the conclusion that you have to live for yourself and if that means being the girl you are instead of the boy everyone insisted you should be than so be it. Trans experience is a huge part of this song but stepping outside of that for a second, I still think it is an extremely relatable song for cis folk because, while different, the struggle between expectations placed on you and what you actually want for yourself still exists for a lot of people. On top of this important message, we get a upbeat ska soundtrack with some rather amazing horns. The music really brings it all together to deliver a sense that while the struggle is difficult, the outcome is positive. It is very hopeful.   

3. “Short Circuit” This song is about dealing with anxiety, self doubt, and romantic relationships. My absolutely favorite part of the song is at the 15 second mark the music drops out and Reade says ‘sorry’ and she sounds so overwhelmed. This is the kind of thing that just endlessly tickles my brain. It is such a small but inspired bit. It could have been left out but it wasn’t and the song is one hundred times better for it, especially given the subject matter. I totally get it. The constant need to apologize is strong when you are full of self doubt and anxiety.    

4. “Broken Brain” is a very relatable song for me, a person who often has their head in the clouds and finds himself in trouble because of it. 

5. “Make It Easy” An extremely cute love song with a hint of young love. It is coy, playful, and best of all it is so easy to sing along too. 

6. “Boys Will Be Girls” This is a straight up bop and an amazing trans anthem. Honestly, there is nothing I do not love about this song but the best part is hands down the following verse— 

throw a tantrum, hold a sign

as the infantry arrives

we’ll take back the city tonight

the kids will be alright

your old ways will die

in the darkest depths we’ll stand here in the light

The first half is so strikingly visual. I can’t help but envision a group of transphobes getting run off by a group of counter protesters. It gets me really pumped. I am not gonna lie. It is very empowering. The second half just matter of factly states that progress will inevitably win. A message I can get behind.    

7. “Wasted” is another highly singable song. It is a very tongue and cheek look at vices. 

8. “Big River” has a lot of intricate guitar in this song that I find quite enjoyable. The stabby horn riffs that lace through the back half of the song are so freaking good as well. It is a groovy song that makes you want to just mellow out and chill. It does a great job of invoking a feeling of floating on a big inner tube as a river slowly carries you away from your problems. 

9. “Ordinary Life”  is the first We are the Union song that I every heard. It was released on the Bad Time Records; Ska Against Racism compilation. I don’t think I could have picked a better introduction song for myself if I tried. It instantly sold me on the band by containing everything I look for in a ska song. Ripping horns, classic ska guitar galore, bass guitar that bumps, and those drums. Damn near perfect, if you ask me.  

10. “Everything Alone” is a song about the one who got away. The lies we tell ourselves to rationalize how things turned out. The reality of wishing things had turned out differently and realizing you miss the person that you should have never let walk out of your life.  

11. “December” is my favorite song on the album. It contains so much emotion, both sorrow and joy. It is intense and I still get a little weepy (the good kind) from time to time when listening to it. Letting your past self die so your real self can live is a powerful message for anyone, but especially for the trans community. It is the perfect capstone song for the end of Reade’s journey. It also contains one of my all time favorite lyrics—“The only difference between a garden and a graveyard is what you bury in it” It is a potent metaphor of hope within the context of the song for sure. Even when viewed generally, it is such a meaningful saying. I think about it a lot. 

What I find truly inspiring about this album is its supremely honest and earnest look into the life of an average trans woman. The ‘horror’ of what we find is that it is absolutely normal. We all share similar struggles and have similar goals and desires. I know that some people find it hard to wrap their heads around what it means to be trans and what that is like. What I think the take away from this album is—that level of understanding is not required. If we are being honest with ourselves, we will admit that we know exactly what it is like to want to be loved and accepted for who we really are. If we can find common ground in that, then maybe we can change the world so trans people won’t have to struggle so much.