Photo by Jeff Vespa
Music plays a big part of New York City singer-songwriter Elliot Moss’ life. Elliot remembers growing up in recording studios with his father, music engineer Peter Denenberg. Learning the ropes from his dad, at just 18, Moss burst onto the scene with the viral hit “Slip,” reaching over 350 million total streams. He has since released two albums, “Highspeeds” in 2015 and “A Change in Diet” in 2020, and has traveled the world with his sharp and evocative sound, earning praise from NPR, Billboard, The FADER, FLOOD, Atwood, and Stereogum.
Now in his late 20s, Elliot pushes a new height of his artistic abilities. He has returned with “Altitude,” a deeply personal song that explores his struggle with depression and the triumph of pushing through those dark moments.
Photo by: Kevin Cordon
Elliot uncovers the meaning behind the song, “It’s about a feeling – like coasting, floating, or sliding. I’ve dealt with depression for fifteen years, and there’s some argument for pushing back at the darkest points. But there’s also this bliss to letting go of your footing. This dreamy concentration comes wrapped around sorrow. “Altitude” describes a place I never like to be. But that place can come with a unique directness to my quieter half. So I’m grateful for it, too,” he shared.
Elliot’s raspy voice begins the slow electric alt-pop beat as he sings, Streetlights are going out all over town / And I might know why / My feet are picking up off the ground / The way I recognize.
Digging deep into vulnerability, Moss paints a vivid picture of his experience and battle with depression. The feeling of being sick from the altitude represents the disorientation and discomfort that can come from depression. The street lights go out to signify a turning point as he feels his feet lifting off the ground and sees the light at the end of the tunnel.
The line, “And I’ll be floating for the whole damn night,” suggests a sense of freedom and possibility that comes with this newfound perspective. Elliot sees something in the corner of his eye but can’t turn his head to investigate, perhaps indicating a sense of being overwhelmed or unable to process everything he is experiencing.
The reference to the Twilight Zone episode and the cars left running with the keys inside add a touch of eerie unease to the lyrics. This could represent that gaining perspective and leaving one’s comfort zone can be unsettling and scary.
The view from twenty-thousand feet looking bleak and the hometown appearing black and white like the mountain peaks suggest a sense of disillusionment with one’s past and a recognition that things aren’t always as they seem. The lyrics capture the experience of dismissing dark thoughts and gaining a new perspective on life, with all the disorientation, freedom, and uncertainty that can come with it.
The lyrics convey a sense of fear or anxiety, repeating the phrase “Don’t look down,” suggesting a fear of falling or failing. The line, “When I fall, I don’t remember anything at all,” indicates a fear of losing control or a sense of disconnection from oneself.
The reference to something in the corner of the eye suggests a feeling of being watched or haunted by some unseen presence, perhaps a metaphor for an inner struggle or a source of anxiety from his depression. The repetition of the phrase, “I know you wanted,” suggests a sense of pressure, even fear or doubt, with his depressive thoughts.
“Altitude” explores the tension between fear and desire to get past depression, with Moss trying to resist the pull of his anxiety to push through to the other side of tribulation. The song is a testament to Moss’ growth as an artist, pushing himself to new heights of artistic ability and tackling depression with raw honesty. “Altitude” is a powerful and evocative piece of music that speaks to the human experience of struggle, resilience, and hope.
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