“What came first, the music or the misery?” asks lovesick Rob Gordon, owner of a failing record shop in Nick Hornby’s ‘90s bestseller, High Fidelity. This is the question to be probed regarding the week’s new releases, in which artists languish, wallow, and remember what they can’t forget. Loss, lovesickness, and a touch of shame are stirred up in spiritual and stripped-back tracks. Maybe it’s the general effect of late October, the last days before many of us turn the clocks back and suffer through early sunsets and cold nights. Whatever the case, some are still singing the blues at the cusp of the holiday-album season. Read on to learn more about the past week’s noteworthy drops from Tyler, the Creator, Ethel Cain, Lola Young, and more.
“Your House” - Inhaler
Over a year since Inhaler launched their second album, ‘Cuts & Bruises,’ into the atmosphere, the Irish rock band is back in orbit with a shiny new single. The gospel-infused track “Your House” ushers in a spiritual vibe without straying too far from the drifting, moody sensibility that’s marked their oeuvre thus far. A relaxed bassline and the occasional soft crash of drums give frontman Elijah Hewson just the right wave to sail on as he floats a tale of toxic attraction. A little ‘70s and a little Sunday morning, “Your House” is an intriguing glimpse of their album-in-progress.
“Punish” - Ethel Cain
It wouldn’t be an Ethel Cain song if it weren’t haunting and unforgettable. The slow piano ballad “Punish” is brimming with equal parts reverb and shame, as the sound and lyricism work in tandem to make you feel the weight of being “punished by love.” Distant piano notes punctuate Cain’s otherworldly vocals, but she could conjure the same eerie atmosphere a capella. The track is a slowcore wonder—fans’ first taste of the darkness that will unravel in her highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Perverts.’
“Darling, I” - Tyler, The Creator
‘Chromakopia’ earns its rave reviews, offering an earnest tour of the anxieties and dreams that come with growing up—all while going back, narratively, to where it all began. Tyler, The Creator is a force throughout the record (his eighth, no less), but the early track "Darling, I (feat. Teezo Touchdown)" is a highlight sonically and lyrically. Its lush production bears a pleasant jazz influence. In smooth vocals, the artist and guest Teezo Touchdown unravel commitment-phobia and lovesickness on several bittersweet levels—including the relationship between an artist and their work. Thus, the mid-song revelation: “Nobody could fulfill me like this music shit does/ So I'll be lonely with these Grammys when it's all said and done, c’mon.”
“Charlie” - Lola Young
The name Charlie may not have carried much emotional weight for you before, but listening to Lola Young’s new single of the same name might just ruin it for you. That’s how affecting the emotions are one the love-and-loss track, which showcases the 23-year-old artist’s powerhouse vocals over a dreamy, rolling drum beat. A feature from Lil Yachty gives the subject of the song a voice (“Love, Charlie,” he signs off on his verse), but the young songstress is undoubtedly the main character. Her unfettered mixture of yearning and regret is a kind of salve for the soul—perfect for a late-night listen.
“Heart of Gold” - Shawn Mendes
The latest single from Shawn Mendes’s forthcoming album, ‘Shawn,’ made headlines before it was officially released; two weeks ago, the singer dedicated the track to late One Direction member Liam Payne. “Heart of Gold” is a simple, heartfelt account of losing a friend too soon. Mendes wrote the track about a childhood friend who passed from a drug overdose. Its plain production allows Mendes to lean into his emotions—and his smooth, seamless vocals reveal a softer side of the pop star’s artistry than we’ve seen on past projects.
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