It can feel powerful to see other parts of a self, especially in the supportive reflection of someone else. There’s an increasingly popular therapeutic modality rooted in the belief a person has several — if sometimes contradictory — parts that make up who they are. Music is, as we know, an incredible way to explore such a kaleidoscopic way of being, giving voice to the parts we don’t always want people to know. That vulnerability is at the heart of Grace of Arc’s “Sides Of Me I’ve Never Met.”
The quest for such discovery is ever present on the haunting track by the Montréal musician, which features rhythmic distortion and soft vocals, creating a kind of sonic whirlpool. If you’ve ever been inside your own head, closed off from the world, it can feel a lot like how “Sides Of Me I’ve Never Met” sounds.
There’s another critical element about this track: Grace of Arc wrote and recorded a version in Tagalog. By using the regional Filipino language, Grace of Arc treads deeper creative waters to bring forth a fuller picture of the narrator and herself, which makes the song so compelling.
It’s also a family affair because her mother helped her write it.
Grace of Arc says of the track: “When my mom first heard the English version, it was really emotional for both of us. The idea of creating a Tagalog version came up [and] bringing her into the writing process alongside my friend Dyan Zapanta felt incredibly special. The song became more than just a translation: it turned into a moment of connection between me, my upbringing and culture, and my family. I’ll forever be cherishing those moments.”
- English version written by Grace of Arc and Fintan O’Brien
- Tagalog version written by Grace of Arc, Dyan Zapanta, and Gloria Calatin