Tony Lio finds truth in the quiet of “Better to Sleep”

Tony Lio's "Better to Sleep" is more a confession mumbled in the dark than a performance. It’s included on his new EP "Mirage Masquerade." It just shows how much his creative style has evolved, because he removes things that aren’t necessary and leaves only what is.

Lio jotted down the title well before crafting a melody for it. The song waited for Lio to be capable of truly engaging with it. When his time arrived to pay, he decided not to contribute. The end product is a minimalist track that feels emotionally forthright, using space and silence and calmness to allow the listener to sit with the feeling rather than be led by it.

The lyrics of "Better to Sleep" are about how we all want to come inside ourselves and live in dreams where reality can’t touch us. It captures that fragile moment where inaction feels appealing and resting becomes a hiding place instead of a necessity. The song doesn’t heighten this instinct, and it doesn’t rush to correct it. Instead, it allows tension to hang in the air, like those silent fights so many of us are familiar with.

The song "Better to Sleep" resonates deeply due to its honesty. It’s about being true to yourself and having the confidence to experiment creatively. By knocking himself out of his comfort zone, however, Lio rediscovers a song he’s been working on for years. It shows that sometimes the strongest things in music are said when there is nothing but silence and the truth can be revealed.

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