Tracklist
1. Ache & Breathe (Album Version)
2. Ache & Breathe (Radio Edit)

Artist: Public Warning
Title: Ache & Breathe
Genre(s): Pop, Electropop, Synthpop
Length: 4:16
Writers: C.L.Alafouzos, M.Dempsey, B.Elliot, D.Harding, Z.Lyons
Producers: Cameron McVey
Label: Independent - PW Recordings
From The Album: A Moveable Feast

Ache & Breathe is a song by British-Irish boy band Public Warning. The track was released worldwide on March 16th 2020 and serves as the group's fourth single, set to be included on their forthcoming debut album, "A Moveable Feast". "Ache & Breathe" is a pop song with slight elements of electronica, rock and R&B and has been noted for its "brooding" and "bizarre" arrangements. The track was written by all five members of the band and produced by Cameron McVey. Lyrically, the song is aimed at someone who is struggling with the pressures of life and all that comes with being human, fearing; death, change, heartbreak and loss. While those things are inevitable, the human qualities such as love and compassion are essential to living. The song has been noted and praised for its unconventional structure with the chorus not coming in until over the two minute mark, an instrumental break early on in the track and multiple different rhyming and line structures. Due to its non-traditional format, a radio edit was also released which has rearranged segments and is shorter in length for commercial appeal.

The track was written and recorded in late 2018 before undergoing multiple adjustments throughout 2019. In the traditional songwriting style of the group, writing was split between all five members during a session at their London home. The idea was born out of a conversation between Myles Dempsey and Carter Lee Alafouzos in regard to their fathers, who have both passed away. The pair reflected on mortality as well as their fathers' outlooks on life, with the conclusion that Alafouzos' dad was far more pessimistic while Dempsey's held optimistic views. Due to the hectic nature of life itself, the band decided to refine as little ideas and lines as possible, wanting to create a "rush and jumbled" melody. From that, they decided on using a "calmer and cooler" instrumentation to juxtapose the conversation being had in the lyrics and thus presented this idea to Cameron McVey, who produced well received results on their debut single.

Critical reception for "Ache & Breathe" has been universally positive thus far, with many critics lauding the "odd" structure, lyrical maturity and the production. Gerry Duff of AllMusic praised the track writing; "The simple guitar lick builds with piano and synths on the verses with Carter's husky vocals, followed by wistful instrumental breaks. It builds into a soulful pop song eventually, with Beau's luscious vocals taking the helm. The synth in the chorus sounds sweet, but effective. The middle section by Myles is light yet haunting and builds back into the bridge to deliver another killer punch. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian called the song a "slow burner" and a "tease" that "takes its sweet time to reveal itself". He then went on to describe the chorus as "a thing of beauty, probably more so because it takes forever to announce itself". Adam Dinmore of The Observer gave the track 5 out of 5 stars, writing, "the cool yet commercial kings have given us a track that might just totally encompass their brand; lush production, gorgeous vocals, a moody atmosphere and an overall creation that shouldn't work but totally does". Hannah Doherty of The Sunday Times also praised the vocal distribution on the song; "While Beau Elliot is the obvious lead singer and one of the finest vocalists this country has had to offer in years, it's nice to hear the secondary vocalists, Carter Lee and Myles, really shine through. The husky warm tones of Carter Lee, the big and soulful crooning of Beau and the light and frothy kisses of Myles' voice all blend together to make one delicious concoction."

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Ache & Breathe

All
Beau
Carter
Declan
Myles
Zander

There's a Hell that tethers us down
Burns and binds our feeble little hands
It's our world but this is foreign land
Gazing at the skies for something profound
Wanna take your hand, show you Heaven
Search for something that has you begging for seconds

Wading through the mud with no end goal
Trying to ignore the bullet in the muscle
Others swim on by when you just want to sink
Fighting through the noise just to sit and think

I'm also stuck out in the darkness
But through the smog, I sing your name
Will you believe in my intentions of kindness?
Will you ever be the same?

[Instrumental Break]

Teetering over the open mouth of a grave
Too many road signs, so many different ways
With all these flavours how do we even behave?
Realising that nobody ever wins

Sometimes I feel like leaving it all behind
Not the only one who has haunting thoughts at night
But there are too many treasures to let pass us by
When something ends, a new beauty begins

I know it hurts to be all flesh and bone
But you can't tell the wind not to blow
It's not a fair life but it's the one we got
It's a slippery road, almost lost control
Ride with me, you don't have to do it alone
I'll help you escape all these jagged thoughts

Don't waste your time with hate and regret
All this back and forth inside your head
Caught up in finding something to claim
Oh, you just can't see
Remember that all of us, we ache and breathe
Been crushed and pulled, brought to our knees
What you feel, I've felt the same
Relax and give yourself to me

There comes many times when we all fall down
Weak and buckling like lambs to the slaughter
Can't stop the world from spinning 'round
But there's always time to rest on my shoulder
I wanna see all the wonder you hide
Fall in deeper than we've gone before
Take my hand and we'll roll with the tide
Of course I'm scared but I won't let it show

I know it hurts to be all flesh and bone
But you can't tell the wind not to blow
It's not a fair life but it's the one we got
It's a slippery road, almost lost control
Ride with me, you don't have to do it alone
I'll help you escape all these jagged thoughts

Don't waste your time with hate and regret
All this back and forth inside your head
Caught up in finding something to claim
Oh, you just can't see
Remember that all of us, we ache and breathe
Been crushed and pulled, brought to our knees
What you feel, I've felt the same
Relax and give yourself to me

Don't waste your time with hate and regret
All this back and forth inside your head
Caught up in finding something to claim
Oh, you just can't see
Remember that all of us, we ache and breathe
Been crushed and pulled, brought to our knees
What you feel, I've felt the same
Relax and give yourself to me

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