Easy On Your Own?
"Easy On Your Own?" is a single by Canadian indie pop band Alvvays, released on August 10, 2022 via Polyvinyl. The song is the second single and second track from Blue Rev (2022).[2]
"Easy On Your Own?" | ||||
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Single by Alvvays | ||||
from the album Blue Rev | ||||
Released | August 10, 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:54 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Alvvays | |||
Producer(s) | Shawn Everett[1] | |||
Alvvays singles chronology | ||||
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Composition and lyrics
"Easy On Your Own?" is a dream pop,[3][4] indie rock[4] and shoegaze[4][5] song. The track uses audio feedback,[4] distortion,[1] and the glide guitar technique.[3] Molly Rankin's vocals are low in the mix compared to the instrumental.[3]
Publications vary on their interpretation of the lyrics. According to Stereogum, the lyrics of "Easy On Your Own?" are about "feeling disaffected and worrying about the future",[6] while Paste said they "describe a long-term relationship so damaged, it might not be worth saving".[3] Later, in Paste's review of Blue Rev, they wrote the track "neatly blurs the lines between a floundering relationship and the drudgery of our current times".[7] According to Consequence, the lyrics are about "[working] through a breakup".[4] Using the title, Uproxx interpreted the lyrics as Rankin asking if life gets "easier on [her] own".[8] According to Exclaim, the track is an "absolutely devastating account of the aimlessness of early adulthood".[9] According to The Skinny, on the lyrics, Rankin is "wondering aloud whether she is moving through life or life moves around her".[10]
Pitchfork highlighted the following line from the lyrics, since it is representative of one of Blue Rev's themes: “I dropped out / College education’s a dull knife / If you don’t believe in the lettered life / Then maybe this is our only try.”[11] Loud and Quiet highlighted the line "crawling in monochromatic hallways" since it exemplifies the lyrics' strong imagery.[12]
Reception
Stereogum described the track as "fuzzy and satisfyingly blown-out".[6] Paste compared the track to My Bloody Valentine, and praised its complex textures and conciseness.[3]The Fader described the track as a "richly melodic pop jam," and said it sounds darker than the first single, "Pharmacist".[13] According to The Skinny, the track is "peak Rankin".[10] TheNeedleDrop said Rankin's vocals sound "more impassioned" than they were on Antisocialites.[14]: 1:41
References
- Bell, Kaelen. "Alvvays Share New Song "Easy on Your Own?"". exclaim.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- Arcand, Rob (August 10, 2022). "Alvvays Share New Song "Easy on Your Own?"". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Alvvays Share Another New Single, "Easy on Your Own?"". pastemagazine.com. August 9, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- Anderson, Carys (August 10, 2022). "Alvvays share new single "Easy on Your Own?": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- Alvvays - Blue Rev Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved October 15, 2022
- "Alvvays Share New Song "Easy On Your Own?": Listen". Stereogum. August 10, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Alvvays Rough Up Their Perfect Pop Songs on Blue Rev". pastemagazine.com. October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Alvvays Asks If It Gets 'Easy On Your Own' On A New Song". UPROXX. August 10, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Alvvays Are Unpredictable, Harsh and Better Than Ever on 'Blue Rev' | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Alvvays - Blue Rev: album review - The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- Larson, Jeremy D. "Alvvays: Blue Rev". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Alvvays - Blue Rev - Album Review". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Alvvays share new song "Easy On Your Own?"". The FADER. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- Fantano, Anthony (October 15, 2022). Alvvays - Blue Rev Album Review. TheNeedleDrop. YouTube.