The song Hellya from LESS is a deeply emotional portrayal of a situation of personal collapse and subsequent resurgence. The lyrics of the song are a portrayal of a period of emotional shut-down, where the passage of time becomes heavy, and days just pass by. LESS has highlighted a period of isolation and inactivity, as captured in simple imagery that makes it very easily comprehensible. The act of staying in bed for months does not just symbolize a need to sleep; it embodies a situation of being stuck in one’s own head. There is a lack of purpose and intentionality in personal activities that makes them appear meaningless.

Throughout “Hellya,” the emotions of confusion and pain are explored in “LESS” without pointing out what is causing it. There is an idea of pain inside, but there is no explanation for what is occurring. This is seen in the way emotions are conveyed in song. Suffering is not necessarily accompanied by reason; it is this lack, however, that perhaps hurts most. This is conveyed in “LESS” through themes of pain that come without reason, like having to “bleed without knowing why.” This is all new and very foreign, particularly because “LESS” realizes he doesn’t respond in the manner he used to.

One of the major themes evident in the lyrics is paralysis. LESS also dwells on the idea of paralysis when one feels as though they cannot move forward, either emotionally or mentally. The idea of paralysis is one that is not bombastic or showy; it is more subdued and heavy. There is an emphasis on being caught up in a moment when one cannot move forward. There is inner pressure to move or to evolve, which creates an inner tension within the meaning of the song.

The repetition of the word “Hellya” is a turning point in the lyrics. It is as if it is the internal voice countering the apathy. Instead of a positive message, this message is more like the struggling effort in order to find the motivation inside. This is how LESS utilizes the word as a challenge, as a demand. This is not the voice of some other person telling them that help is available; this is some sort of internal conversation with oneself. The message is clear in the lyrics that the situation cannot be altered by some other person. Such a message holds the entire responsibility on one’s own shoulders, which is scary as well as liberating.

Urgency is a theme that is conveyed by the need to have a quick response. LESS proposes that it is pointless to wait, as it will only make paralysis a more powerful force. There is a notion of having to make a quick decision in order to intellectually and emotionally awaken. This is also a reflection of what happens in actual change. A person may remain stagnant in a situation for a long period, but then when it does become mobile, it is a rapid process.

Fear is another essential ingredient present in Hellya. LESS is much more open about having fear about having nothing but tears to hold. The fear does not lie within the realm of failing publicly, but within the realm of emotional emptiness. The thought of having nothing but tiny and insignificant acts of release indicates a lack of comfort present within the emotional realm. The thought of tears, which signify a release and an escape, becomes almost frustrating and disappointing.

However, the lyrics ultimately convey the wish for everything to be cleansed away. The image is one of purification and renewal, although this seems to be a distant reality. LESS does not provide any information on what this purification will be in the form of but simply that it is what is wanted. The fact that this is what is wanted is significant in the fact that there is still hope in the midst of the apathy.

But in addition to that, there’s also the concept of not having a place to call home. This goes beyond the physical concept and into the realm of emotion. This emotion of not having a home in the world creates instability and makes one question their identity. This emotion and struggle add a whole different element to the struggles expressed in the song. This struggle now encompasses not just sadness and lack of drive, but also a struggle to find one’s home.

The role of memory and habit in the lyrics is quite interesting. LESS indicates that there have been resolutions found inside of him before. That means this is definitely not the first time that LESS has faced such a problem. Such a mention of the past adds a layer of complexity to the emotional expression of this song. That means there is a certain level of experience and strength there. However, there is also the disappointment that those resolutions now lie further away.

The lyrics of the song resist the temptation of playing the blame game or excusing what may or may not happen through the influence of other people or factors. Even when the influence of other people or the pressure of the situation arises through implication in the lyrics, the attention remains inward. LESS takes responsibility for his emotional state. That resonates with the fact that he alone holds the power to improve the situation.

Another interesting thing about the lyrics is how simple they are. LESS communicates in simple language with simple concepts that are easy to understand. This is what makes the emotional expression so accessible. Nothing needs to be guessed or inferred. The strength is in how universal these emotions feel. A lot of people feel this frustration of being stagnant, exhausted, and unsure of how to go on.

This is continued in Hellya through repetition, and it emphasizes the cycle that is described within the song. The same thoughts and concerns are revisited, and this is similar to what occurs within actual bouts of depression and burnout. This is not a cycle that seems lazy; it is a cycle that appears to be full of intent. It is a cycle that seeks to motivate oneself and then return to uncertainty. Through this cycle, it is demonstrated within LESS that it is difficult to escape.

However, it is a positive message in a subtle manner. The positivity is not harvested from happiness. It is harvested from honesty and awareness. It is a strength to acknowledge the feelings of being paralyzed, afraid, and confused. It is a strength to recognize that there is pain and it is not being avoided. It is a strength to acknowledge emotional distress as something that is being confronted. 

The concept of playing, introduced briefly, offers a compelling contrast. It proposes a return to creativity. This relates strongly to the musician’s need to express a return to music as a form of pure expression. In the lyrics, the concept appears more like a reminder than a solution. It proposes that even a small act of creating could be a way to shatter the emotional stagnation. It further strengthens the link between the song’s themes of art and liberation. 

LESS writes with conviction in Hellya. The song does not have impressive lyrics with irony. Direct communication about pain and difficult feelings interprets vulnerability for what it is. This goes well with Hellya’s unapologetic theme. An unadorned pain brings about a better emotional effect. This song seems to be making a very clear stance regarding what LESS believes at this particular stage of his life. 

The progression of feeling through these lyrics is not conducive to the traditional structure of rise and resolution. Rather, it stays centered within the midst of the struggle and explores a moment as opposed to a complete process. This is more realistic, as personal development does not occur in linear fashion. “Hellya” is akin to a photograph of a moment of turning that has not fully occurred. 

In conclusion, Hellya, by LESS, is a masterpiece of lyrical integrity that speaks of “apathy, fear, and forced change through self-driven will.” With Hellya, LESS is “spinning ideas and concepts that are so deeply personal,” and this is why the song is so emotionally compelling. LESS “uses simple language and repeated ideas that reinforce its message through its commitment to its own honesty,” and so this is why Hellya is such a great example of emotionally compelling writing. Emotional integrity is created through vulnerability and subtlety.