Laptop – Xanadu
Laptop’s “Xanadu” is a duet featuring frontman Jesse Hartman and Nevis vocalist Anna Hadeed. According to Hartman, the song looks into the American dream of settling down, building something permanent, buying a home, and providing stability, as well as how that ideal can silently collapse beneath the pressure of money, power, and long-term goals. It’s less a romance and more an exploration of ambition, compromise, and disappointment. Musically, the song begins with an exotica-influenced, easy-listening vibe. The tempo is relaxing, and the duet builds in a pleasant, almost open style. On the surface, the arrangement presents a cheerful, summertime vibe, with soft percussion, warm harmonies, and a catchy melodic flow. However, beyond this optimistic surface lies a deep sense of stress. This conflict is communicated through antithesis: the music’s upbeat, positive tone contrasted with the more complex and sophisticated vocal style. The lyrics express scepticism and disappointment, “We’ve been lied to / Been talked down to”—while maintaining their love and respect for “the home you built.” The house, nicknamed “Our Xanadu,” becomes a living, breathing entity, symbolising both luxury and isolation. Overall, Xanadu is a beautifully created piece that achieves a balance between sarcasm and tenderness, brightness and doubt, with an “easygoing” surface that gently questions its roots of permanency and love.
Photo Credit: Laptop photo by Thomas Krause
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