In a world that romanticizes not doing well, “Appointments,” a new song by Mia Day, shows what it’s like to feel a change in yourself and use that as the final push to keep going. Written about the realization that her therapy appointments were working, this song grabs alluring chord progressions, calming percussion, and comforting lyrics on its way to the beach and serves as a reminder to forgive yourself after a year of hibernation in an increasingly claustrophobic world.
The meeting of acoustic and electric guitar in the intro feels like the day at the beach Day goes on to describe — acoustic strumming as the constant crashing of waves and the plucked electric as the seagulls and the stomps of people running and playing in the sand. Lines like, “There were swimmers on the beach today / and they were jumping out of the water cold” and “The sun was setting at 5pm / and I don’t have the words to describe why it was beautiful,” introduce the idea of looking at things in a new, enlightened way, with more life experience than we had before.
The chord progression embodies this hope, with extensions and inversions that create an emotional gray area not found in traditional major and minor chords. At the end of the progression, though, Day lands on an A major chord under the word “beautiful.” It feels like a relief, like the chords are finally dealing in definite answers, clearing the way to the chorus, where Day transitions into a higher part of her voice. While she portrays ample emotion from the beginning, the chorus tears down the dam and allows the growing confidence in Day’s voice to flow freely.
The second verse gives the listener more insight into how healing is going for Day. She describes her body as a supportive structure — “a back that has carried the world” — and her hometown statically — “Born in the city of seven hills / A glacial pace pushed them ‘till they went still.” She acknowledges the hard work our bodies carry us through. We’re not hills forced into creation but rather beings that can carry the world.
“Appointments” is truly a comforting song. Although Day is “in a body that’s 20 years old,” people at any stage in life can find motivation in lyrics like, “I can’t wait to see who I’m gonna be when I keep booking appointments.” In preparation for summer, this tune is a reminder to be proud of all the quarantine soul searching that’s taken place this winter. Listen below to take a deep breath.
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