Tony Lio is clearly in a different headspace on Better to Sleep, and that’s the point. This track doesn’t hide behind big production or flashy hooks. Instead, it pulls everything back to the bare minimum and lets the feeling sit right in front of you, unfiltered and honest. Marking a new chapter in his journey, Better to Sleep feels like Tony choosing vulnerability over safety. The song leans into the idea that sometimes, escaping into fantasy is easier than dealing with reality, and that’s okay, at least for a moment. It’s not framed as a solution, more like a pause button. A quiet place to breathe.
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The stripped-down approach works in his favor. The melody carries the weight, floating gently while the lyrics do their thing. Lines like “Better to love, better to sleep / Dreams of you haunting me” loop like a thought you can’t shake at 2 a.m. The imagery throughout the song feels dreamy and slightly blurred, espresso nights, shadows, whispered secrets, perfectly matching the theme of slipping between reality and imagination.
The return of longtime collaborator Christopher Kapshock adds a subtle sense of familiarity without pulling the song backward. You can hear growth on both sides. And Mackie June’s harmonies? They glide in effortlessly, adding contrast and softness that lift the song without crowding it. Her voice feels like the echo of the fantasy Tony is singing about, close, but just out of reach.
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Better to Sleep isn’t trying to be loud or dramatic. It’s a slow burn that rewards listeners who sit with it. This is Tony Lio trusting simplicity, trusting silence, and trusting the song to speak for itself. If Mirage Masquerade is about illusion and escape, this track feels like its emotional center, quiet, reflective, and surprisingly comforting.
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