'Exactly Where I'm Supposed to Be' is a song where Andy is going through tough times, feeling lost, and then realizing that he's exactly where he needs to be, even if it doesn't feel like it at first. The title itself is pretty self-explanatory. Now, at the start, he's hit another rough patch and his life feels confusing, with a winding, unpredictable path. But then, there’s this moment of hope that he describes as being outside on a sunny October day when everything starts to clear up. That’s when, in all the chaos, Andy looks inside himself and realizes that what he’s been searching for is actually within him. He starts to see something true about himself.
Well, now Andy describes his songs as hooky indie-pop anthems, and honestly, that nails it. Starting with the music, you have this wide, lush and dynamic guitar and synth combo that kind of lays on top of everything else. You’ve got both electric and acoustic guitars in the mix, giving us a nice strumming pattern and handling the main melody or riff. Then there are the synths, which are balanced at the same level as the guitars, adding this dreamy, unique tone.
The drums are super tight, with these short bursts from the kick and snare that feel thick and pumped. The hi-hats are mostly closed and snappy, while the cymbals are doing their thing, shimmering and bright. Now, that thickness doesn’t just come from the kick or even the compression; it’s also about the bass. The bass sits right in the middle of the mix, but it’s a little spread out too, which gives it that full sound.
Now, the vocals are also stealing the spotlight by being just smooth and natural in general. Andy has this clear and well-pronounced tone in his voice deeply rooted in introspection. It also feels a bit more animated or lively or even a bit playful in a way. As the song goes on, Andy sings about how drained he feels. He sings about the physical pain in his chest and how he isn’t getting enough rest. It’s like he’s stuck, not feeling like his best self. The unconscious alluring state seems like he’s almost checking out from reality because everything feels too overwhelming. Life is messy, and it’s easy to feel like you’re lost or on shaky ground.
But here’s the turning point. In the chorus, Andy starts to realize something important. He is exactly where he’s meant to be. He was running blind at first, unsure of everything, but now he's starting to see things clearly. The wicked game he sings about could be all the struggles and memories that have affected him but also shaped him. He’s been through a lot, but it’s changed him for the better, even if it didn’t seem like it at the time. Later in the song, someone, maybe a close friend or his own inner voice, tells him it’s a shame he’s wasting his life fighting the demons in his brain, like anxiety or self-doubt.
He’s reminded that he’s better than the struggles he’s been dealing with, and it’s time to move forward. This part feels like that moment when you finally wake up and realize you’ve been holding yourself back. It’s like a push to snap out of it and start living fully again. By the end, the song shows he’s found some peace with everything. Even though life has been tough and confusing, he accepts that all of it has led him to this point. He’s learned and grown from his experiences, and now he understands that even the hardest moments were part of his journey.