what it sounds like

by huntrx ejae audrey nuna rei ami kpop demon hunters cast

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
# "What It Sounds Like": An Anthem of Authentic Self-Discovery

In "What It Sounds Like" by HUNTRX, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, and the K-pop Demon Hunters cast, we encounter a powerful declaration of self-acceptance after profound personal struggle. The song's core message revolves around the transformative journey from hiding one's authentic self to embracing vulnerability and truth. Beginning with the raw confession "Nothing but the truth now," the lyrics chronicle the painful process of confronting one's flaws, past mistakes, and internal contradictions. This narrative isn't simply about personal shortcomings but about the universal human experience of reconciling our imperfect selves with our desire for connection and understanding.

The emotional landscape of the song traverses from shame and isolation to liberation and solidarity. Early verses reveal the anguish of self-deception, with lines like "My head was twisted, my heart divided" painting a portrait of internal conflict. This gradually transforms into a celebration of newfound authenticity in the chorus's declaration: "I broke into a million pieces, and I can't go back/But now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass." This emotional evolution reflects a profound truth about personal growth—that sometimes we must completely shatter before we can rebuild ourselves in more authentic ways. The collective shift from "I" to "we" in later verses amplifies this journey from isolation to community.

The songwriters employ striking visual imagery and metaphors that elevate the message beyond simple self-help platitudes. The recurring motif of "broken glass" serves as a powerful symbol for transformed perspective—what was once seen only as damage becomes a source of beauty and light when properly understood. Similarly, the contrast between "covering up colors" and allowing "jagged edges [to] meet the light" creates a compelling visual representation of the choice between hiding one's true nature and bravely revealing it. These metaphors suggest that authenticity isn't merely about truth-telling but about revealing the vibrant, complex reality of human experience that lies beneath superficial presentations.

What gives this song particular resonance is its acknowledgment of the social dimensions of self-deception. The lines "We listened to the demons, we let them get between us" suggest that our inability to be honest with ourselves directly impacts our capacity for genuine connection with others. This speaks to a deeper cultural context where social media and public personas often create pressure to present idealized, sanitized versions of ourselves. The song pushes back against this tendency, arguing that only by acknowledging our complete selves—including our wounds and weaknesses—can we form meaningful bonds with others who are experiencing similar struggles.

The transformation described isn't portrayed as a clean, effortless process but as a messy, ongoing journey. The powerful admission "So we were cowards, so we were liars/So we're not heroes, we're still survivors" rejects simplistic narratives of redemption in favor of a more nuanced understanding of growth. This refusal to glamorize the process of healing makes the song's message all the more credible and impactful. It recognizes that becoming authentic isn't about achieving perfection but about accepting the full spectrum of one's experiences and emotions, including the painful and contradictory ones.

What ultimately makes "What It Sounds Like" resonate so deeply is its promise of collective liberation through individual honesty. The repeated refrain "This is what it sounds like" serves as both an invitation and a revelation—a musical embodiment of the truth that emerges when pretense falls away. In the final verses, as individual voices blend into harmony with lines like "Truth after all this time, our voices all combined/When darkness meets the light," the song suggests that personal authenticity isn't just a private victory but a contribution to a larger chorus of human experience. In a world increasingly characterized by division and superficial interaction, this vision of solidarity through shared vulnerability offers a compelling alternative—one where our broken pieces, when honestly revealed, create something more beautiful and powerful than perfect facades ever could.
Posted on Jul 13, 2025 by Athena