Upcoming LGBTQ music in August: Ethel Cain and Water From Your Eyes – Gay City News
Ethel Cain recently released her latest album, “Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You,” on August 8, which delves into the life of a character created by Hayden Anhedonia. This character, Cain, navigates a deeply religious southern community plagued by violence. The album takes listeners back to 1986, preceding the narrative from her first release, “Preacher’s Daughter.” Through songs like “Crush” and “American Teenager,” Cain showcases her pop sensibility while maintaining a distinct style that sets her apart from the typical pop genre. Despite achieving success with “Preacher’s Daughter” and landing on the Billboard top 10, Cain remains humble and resistant to the idea of stardom. However, negative aspects of her past resurfaced when racist social media posts she made in 2017 and questionable allegations linked to transphobia came to light, shedding light on her online origins.
In addition to her storytelling prowess, Cain also crafts instrumentally rich tracks that create a sense of drama and intensity. Songs like “Radio Towers” and “Dust Bowl” engage the listener through elongated, atmospheric passages, while “A Knock at the Door” offers a raw, intimate guitar experience. Her music strikes a delicate balance between meticulous construction and an unfiltered, organic feel, allowing her compositions to meander and unfold at their own pace. Tracks like “Tempest” exemplify this deliberate pacing, building slowly and evoking a sense of impending storminess.
Despite its predominantly instrumental nature, “Willoughby Tucker” continues to exhibit Cain’s literary inclinations, particularly evident in “F**k Me Eyes,” a character study that peels back the layers of a girl known for her promiscuity. Through Cain’s distinctive lens, the song navigates themes of admiration, scorn, and jealousy, painting a complex portrait of the character. While comparisons may arise between Cain and artists like Lana del Rey, Cain’s approach diverges by elongating torch songs to expansive lengths, allowing them to evolve and expand over extended durations. As her audience expands, Cain’s music evolves to accentuate the subtleties and nuances within her compositions, offering poignant moments that illuminate the life of her eponymous character.
In a similar vein, Water From Your Eyes released their seventh studio album, “It’s a Beautiful Place,” on August 22, featuring introspective tracks that dive into existential inquiries and philosophical musings. The album raises questions about belief systems and the human experience, as evidenced by songs like “You Do Believe In God?” which explores themes of cosmic mysticism through ethereal synthesizers. Tracks like “For Mankind” continue this introspective journey, offering a glimpse into the band’s internal dialogue and stream of consciousness lyricism. While the lyrics touch on contemporary issues like consumerism and spirituality, Rachel Brown’s delivery allows these thoughts to flow freely without definitive conclusions.
Water From Your Eyes’ blend of pop influences with introspective lyricism creates a unique musical landscape that invites listeners to contemplate deeper meanings beneath the surface. By infusing their songs with existential questions and introspective narratives, the band crafts a compelling listening experience that resonates with audiences seeking more than just catchy tunes. Their ability to meld pop sensibilities with philosophical themes sets them apart in the music scene, offering a refreshing take on contemporary music that challenges listeners to engage on a deeper level.