Page 210 – That Eric Alper

No Doubt Add Six New Dates to Their Live at Sphere Residency

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

No Doubt Add Six New Dates to Their Live at Sphere Residency

No Doubt have announced six additional dates for their highly anticipated No Doubt Live at Sphere residency due to incredible fan demand. The newly added shows are set for May 21, 23, 24, 27, 29, and 30, following the previously announced dates on May 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, and 16.

This residency marks No Doubt’s first extended run of performances in nearly 14 years, following their historic Seven Night Stand in Los Angeles in 2012.

The forthcoming Sphere dates come on the heels of the 30th anniversary of No Doubt’s seminal album Tragic Kingdom, which cemented the group as one of the most influential and celebrated bands of their generation. Their songs – which still dominate radio stations globally – remain as important and culturally influential today as they were when they first hit the airwaves in 1995.

Sphere’s next-generation technologies include the world’s highest resolution LED display that wraps up, over, and around the audience creating a fully immersive visual environment. The venue also features the world’s most advanced concert-grade audio system, Sphere Immersive Sound, which delivers audio with unmatched clarity and precision to every guest.

Musicologist Árni Heimir Ingólfsson Explores Iceland’s Sonic Identity in ‘Jón Leifs and the Musical Invention of Iceland’

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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Musicologist Árni Heimir Ingólfsson Explores Iceland’s Sonic Identity in ‘Jón Leifs and the Musical Invention of Iceland’

In Jón Leifs and the Musical Invention of Iceland, Árni Heimir Ingólfsson provides a striking account of the dramatic career of Iceland’s iconic composer. Leifs (1899?1968) was the first Icelander to devote himself fully to composition at a time when a local music scene was only beginning to take form. He was a fervent nationalist in his art, fashioning an idiosyncratic and uncompromising ‘Icelandic’ sound from traditions of vernacular music with the aim to legitimize Iceland as an independent, culturally empowered nation.

In addition to exploring Leifs’s career, Ingólfsson provides detailed descriptions of Leifs’s major works and their cultural contexts. Leifs’s music was inspired by the Icelandic landscape and includes auditory depictions of volcanos, geysers, and waterfalls. The raw quality of his orchestral music is frequently enhanced by an expansive percussion section, including anvils, stones, sirens, bells, ships’ chains, shotguns, and cannons.

Largely neglected in his own lifetime, Leifs’s music has been rediscovered in recent years and hailed as a singular and deeply original contribution to twentieth-century music. Jón Leifs and the Musical Invention of Iceland enriches our understanding and appreciation of Leifs and his music by exploring the political, literary and environmental contexts that influenced his work.

Árni Heimir Ingólfsson is an Icelandic musicologist. He holds a PhD in historical musicology from Harvard University, and BM-degrees in music history and piano performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. His primary area of interest is the history of Icelandic music from the Middle Ages to the present, and he is the author of several books on Icelandic music, including “Jón Leifs and the Musical Invention of Iceland” (Indiana University Press, 2019), which was listed as one of that year’s best books on music by Alex Ross of The New Yorker. His most recent book is “Music at World’s End: Three Exiled Musicians from Nazi Germany and Austria and Their Contribution to Music in Iceland” (SUNY Press, 2025). Its Icelandic version was nominated for the Icelandic Book Award in November 2024.

Genre Blending Artist Healy Releases Soulful Third Album ‘Force Of Nature’

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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Genre Blending Artist Healy Releases Soulful Third Album ‘Force Of Nature’

Genre blending artist Ethan Healy – known by his last name – unveils his all encompassing third album Force Of Nature, out via BMG. Depictions of young love, hardships, and nostalgia are wrapped in a gorgeous 8-track project that breathes new life into the musicians’ electronic and R&B influenced catalog.

With the release sees the live performance video with album collaborator Hailey Knox for the song “PICK ME UP”. Healy reflected on collaboration saying, “Working with Hailey is so fun because one minute we’ll be acting like absolute goofballs, then the next minute she’ll be putting on a clinic in the vocal booth – you really get the best of both worlds from her. Her songwriting is so visceral and tangible, and it was just what “PICK ME UP” needed.”

The album sees a natural evolution for the artist with over 200M+ catalog streams, a SZA stamp of approval, and a Cautious Clay collab under his belt. He takes the buoyant indie-pop melded with groovy R&B and hip-hop sounds he’s become known for and amplifies it with production by Austin Daniel Brown (Doechii, Amine, Isaiah Rashad, Jordan Ward, Joyce Wrice and Duckwrth) and Public Library Commute, as well as Harrison Finks on organ and pedal steel, Ben Callicott on guitar, Ali Abu-Khraybeh on keys, and guest vocalist Hailey Knox.

Metalcore Duo Lake Malice Drop Explosive New Single “Nobody Wants To Be You”

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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Metalcore Duo Lake Malice Drop Explosive New Single “Nobody Wants To Be You”

Lake Malice unleash their “dark pop-metal takedown of vanity and nepotism in the music scene”. Already a live favourite, ‘Nobody Wants To Be You’ embraces vocalist Alice Guala’s sassy Italian flair, calling out the superficial, nepotistic and self-obsessed. In a system where meritocracy feels absent, Lake Malice channel their frustrations through industrial rhythms and choruses exploding with energy. ‘Nobody Wants To Be You’ is a metal-core weapon, serving as a cathartic scream against industry fakery. The track exemplifies Guala’s vocal prowess, as she seamlessly shifts between pure, soaring melody and guttural aggression. ‘Nobody Wants To Be You’ was produced by Lake Malice guitarist extraordinaire Blake Cornwall, alongside Jon Cass, mixed by Carl Bown and mastered by Ste Kerry.

The accompanying music video, directed by Zak Pinchin, is a dark and highly stylised affair, complete with the backup dancers who we’ve seen grace the stage with Malice this summer. The forward-thinking, genre-blending approach of Malice’s music means their live show fits with a whole host of different artists – they’ve already played with both RØRY and Bury Tomorrow in 2025. And, having decimated stages across the UK and Europe this summer, playing festivals such as Slam Dunk, 2000trees, Wacken Open Air and RADAR, Lake Malice are main support to Enter Shikari on their dates this month in the UK and Europe, alongside a one-off headline date in Southampton. They’re also set to be main support for Japanese band Hanabie across the UK and Ireland this November. See below for details.

Lake Malice are on a roll of explosive singles with the mind-melting ‘Scatterbrain’ also released this year.

Supporting Enter Shikari:

15th Oct – Colosseum, Watford, UK

16th Oct – Joiners, Southampton, UK (headline)

17th Oct – OM, Liege, BE

18th Oct – Melkweg, Amsterdam, NL

19th Oct – Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, DK

Supporting Hanabie:

31st Oct – QMU, Glasgow, UK

01st Nov – Academy 2, Manchester, UK

02nd Nov – o2 Institute, Birmingham, UK

04th Nov – The Academy, Dublin, IE

05th Nov – Limelight, Belfast, UK

07th Nov – Electric Brixton, London, UK

Further live dates:

31st Jan – We Are One Festival, Cardiff, UK

22nd Aug – Fallen Fortress, Bad Durkheim, DE

Australian Rocker Cassidy Paris Releases “Nothing Left To Lose” Ahead of Sophomore Album ‘Bittersweet’

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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Australian Rocker Cassidy Paris Releases “Nothing Left To Lose” Ahead of Sophomore Album ‘Bittersweet’

Australian rocker Cassidy Paris unveils her new single and official video, “Nothing Left To Lose,” taken from her highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Bittersweet,’ scheduled for November 21, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

CASSIDY PARIS is also thrilled to share that she will be returning to the UK in May next year, for the “Finish What We Started” headlining tour, starting on May 13th in Hastings, and wrapping up on May 24th in Newcastle.

Talking about her new single, CASSIDY said, “I instantly connected to ‘Nothing Left To Lose’ as it represents times when you feel so alone and in pain. You feel like no one is listening or really understands what you’ve been through. It’s when people twist things and lie to try and paint a picture that is fabricated. They manipulate others to suit their own agenda, making you feel like you’re going crazy. ‘Nothing Left To Lose’ is one of my favourite tracks off ‘Bittersweet’ and I can’t wait to see what you think”.

Known for her distinctive blend of ‘80s-inspired rock attitude with a modern twist, CASSIDY PARIS is stepping confidently into her own identity as an artist with ‘Bittersweet,’ the powerful follow-up to her acclaimed 2023 debut album ‘New Sensation.’

“My debut album was ‘80s infused with a current vibe,” CASSIDY explained. “With ‘Bittersweet,’ I’m stepping even more into who I am as an artist – influenced by icons like Debbie Harry, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and Lita Ford, but always with my own spin on things.

“This is the most honest and raw I’ve ever been with songs. This record feels like it’s a part of me. Like reading a diary of my life over the past couple of years. Releasing this is both so exciting and equally emotional because, when I started, I had no idea of the journey I would go on personally in my life”, she added. “It makes me beam with happiness that these songs are yours now. This record is love, strength, and immense heartbreak. It’s emotions on a level I didn’t even know existed prior to this season of life. It truly lives up to its name in its entirety. I hope you too love it as much as I did creating it.”

Featuring songwriting contributions from Paul Laine and Steve Brown, ‘Bittersweet‘ showcases CASSIDY’s growth not just as a performer but as a songwriter with a message. Lyrically honest and emotionally charged, the album balances hook-filled anthems with heartfelt ballads, capturing both vulnerability and strength.

CASSIDY continues to stand out as a passionate voice in modern rock, not only for her music but for her advocacy. A strong supporter of Metalheads Against Bullying, she regularly performs in schools around Melbourne, using her platform to inspire resilience and authenticity in young fans.

TyriqueOrDie Drops New Single “Ur Not Invited” and Brings the Toronto Rave Scene Global

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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TyriqueOrDie Drops New Single “Ur Not Invited” and Brings the Toronto Rave Scene Global

Rising electronic/hip-hop artist, vocalist, and party-starter TyriqueOrDie drops his new single “Ur Not Invited” today via Universal Music Canada.

The new house single, produced by Okay Synthesizer founder Rafael Khan, arrives as TyriqueOrDie builds global momentum through his viral collaboration with bradeazy, “Up Down.” “Up Down” features Tyrique’s vocals throughout the track and has topped Beatport’s Bass House charts. It has surpassed over 1.8M streams on Spotify and continues to grow across the world.

About the new single “Ur Not Invited,” TyriqueOrDie says, “This is easily one of my favourite songs I’ve released to date. It’s the first time I’ve been so vulnerable on a record, so this one means a lot to me.”

One of his more introspective releases this year, Ty shares his “confessions of a Gemini” as he reflects on a recent break-up, contemplating anything that can help take his mind off his ex-girlfriend. Like a true Gemini though, he masks his genuine emotions and battles with himself, rapping, “I should probably call her later, but I’m such a percolator, and I’m tryna count my paper so at the end of the day I don’t got time to be thinking I’ll save her.”

“Ur Not Invited” follows Ty’s latest solo releases “U Know How Dis Go” – which was hailed as “the perfect vibe for your summer playlist” by CBC Music – and “Sex In The Mosh,” which launched alongside an epic exclusive party at Toronto’s House of Lancaster.

Already beloved in the Toronto rave community, TyriqueOrDie has earned recent global support from the likes of John Summit, Fisher, Dom Dolla, Acraze, Purple Disco Machine, Don Diablo, Duke Dumont, and more with international radio play in the US, UK, Australia, South Africa, Portugal, Italy, and other countries.

One of the organizers of Toronto Hardcore, Tyrique has earned praise from the likes of i-D and DJ Mag for his role in revitalizing the underground scene in Toronto with peace, love, unity, respect, and responsibility at the forefront of his mission.

Tyrique Clarke, known professionally as TyriqueOrDie, is a Toronto-based artist, performer, and rising star in the increasingly popular intersection of rap and electronic music. Raised in the Galloway housing projects, TyriqueOrDie’s world began to expand after immersing himself in the local rave scene. Shaped by rave culture and foundational textures of hip hop, his journey began with consistent exploration across genres. Sonically, TyriqueOrDie pushes boundaries by embedding the city of Toronto’s subcultures and experimental nature into every track, as demonstrated with his 2022 release “Toronto Funhouse,” which solidified itself as a city-wide anthem. Backed by his DJ friends and organic word of mouth, what started as a regional party anthem snowballed into something that connected far beyond the city it was named after. From local recording studios to developing tracks in dance hubs such as Miami, NYC, and LA, today TyriqueOrDie’s sound and vision has sharpened, with D&B, Hip Hop and electronic anchoring its core.

Citing inspirational luminaries such as Azealia Banks and the hardcore essence of early Travis Scott, TyriqueOrDie wants his music to soundtrack the best nights of your life. At his core, being a performer is where he truly shines. His high-energy and dynamic DIY performances cemented his status as an underground stalwart. Together with DJ and producer ACE, and the Toronto Hardcore collective, their performances have broken a mold in Toronto, introducing a new era of experimental live shows. Among many unforgettable nights, their infamous 2022 Christie Pitts rave is often cited as a cultural turning point.

Jermaine Dupri Drops “Magic City Money” with Atlanta’s Finest

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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Jermaine Dupri Drops “Magic City Money” with Atlanta’s Finest

Jermaine Dupri is back with “Magic City Money,” the electrifying second single from his highly anticipated studio album inspired by Magic City: An American Fantasy.

“Magic City Money” recruits Atlanta’s finest – Jay Money, Sean Paul (Young Blood), BunnaB, and Bankroll Ni – for an unapologetic ode to Atlanta’s legendary strip club scene. The single’s infectious hook, hypnotic bassline, and raw Southern grit make it the perfect follow-up to JD’s smash hit “Turn Around.”

To match the track’s energy, Dupri is also dropping a high-octane music video the same day – a visual that feels like taking a summer drive with JD through the city’s most iconic, authentic neighborhoods. Picture true Atlanta summer weather, scenes in front of the bando, or hanging with family and friends outside the Atlanta Falcons parking lots – capturing the raw spirit, hustle, and heart that define the city.

“”Magic City Money” is about honoring the hustle, the legacy, and the influence of Atlanta’s nightlife on global culture,” says Dupri. “This is the sound of the city – it’s about having fun and turning dreams into dollars. And this is just the beginning.”

The single and visual build anticipation for Magic City: An American Fantasy, Dupri’s upcoming STARZ docu-series that dives deep into the world-famous club that shaped Atlanta’s music, nightlife, and cultural legacy. The full album – out now – features an all-star lineup spanning multiple generations and genres, paying tribute to the South’s lasting impact on hip-hop and pop culture worldwide.

9 Musicians Who Turned Pain Into Art

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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It’s not necessarily true that you need to be sad to make great art — but it helps. Heartbreak, loss, and life’s messiest moments have inspired some of the most powerful music ever recorded. Here are nine artists who turned pain into something unforgettable.

Adele
When Adele sang “Someone Like You,” she didn’t just sing about heartbreak — she felt it. Her breakup with a long-term partner poured straight into ‘21,’ an album that defined modern soul-pop confessions and made everyone cry into their hairbrush.

Kurt Cobain
Cobain’s lyrics were therapy in distortion. Through Nirvana’s ‘In Utero,’ he turned confusion and vulnerability into explosive grunge poetry that spoke for a generation still figuring out how to feel.

Amy Winehouse
‘Back to Black’ was a diary set to Motown grooves. Winehouse transformed heartbreak into timeless soul, creating songs that still ache with honesty and unmatched vocal grit.

Johnny Cash
Cash’s late-career cover of “Hurt” became a masterclass in musical redemption. His trembling voice carried a lifetime of reflection and turned a Nine Inch Nails song into his own final confession.

Taylor Swift
Every era of Swift’s discography holds a new chapter of heartbreak turned art. ‘Red’ shimmered with nostalgia and pain, turning love’s chaos into poetic pop storytelling that resonated worldwide.

Lauryn Hill
‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ carried joy, betrayal, and rebirth all in one. Her music channeled emotional depth through gospel, hip-hop, and soul, setting a new gold standard for truth in R&B.

Billie Eilish
Billie’s whisper-soft delivery and dark pop production came from teenage isolation and anxiety turned creative spark. ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ transformed introspection into stadium-sized emotion.

Bob Dylan
Dylan turned heartbreak into folk history. “Blood on the Tracks” was born from a disintegrating relationship, but it became a universal meditation on love, regret, and time’s strange mercy.

Mary J. Blige
‘My Life’ transformed struggle into strength. Blige turned her battles with addiction and heartbreak into soulful testimony, shaping R&B’s emotional blueprint for decades to come.

Pain doesn’t guarantee greatness, but when artists embrace it, they remind us how human we all are. Sometimes, the best melodies come from the messiest emotions — and that’s what makes music feel so alive.

Sam Fender Wins 2025 Mercury Prize for ‘People Watching’

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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Sam Fender was announced tonight, Thursday 16th October, as the overall winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize for his album ‘People Watching’.

Broadcaster Lauren Laverne hosted the 2025 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of The Year’ ceremony live from Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, marking the first time the prestigious awards show has been held outside of London. A delighted Sam Fender received the trophy from Broadcaster & DJ Sian Eleri – presenting on behalf of the judging team – before performing the title track ‘People Watching’ from his winning album to a standing ovation.

The judging panel said: ‘This year proved that the album remains the format of choice for artists to best present a body of work. That, however, made our job as judges of the 2025 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year is more challenging than ever. All 12 records on the shortlist worked so well on their own terms, ranging from ancient ballads to futuristic electronics. After much discussion, however, we all decided on one album that stood out for its cohesion, character and ambition. It felt like a classic album, which will take pride of place in record collections for years to come. ‘People Watching’ by Sam Fender is both melody-rich and expansive, marrying heartland rock with the realities of everyday life and the importance of community. These are thoughtful songs with broad appeal, as cinematic as they are intimate, making ‘People Watching’ a worthy winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year.

The Awards Show featured live performances from many of the twelve shortlisted artists, including Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA twigs, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy, Pa Salieu, Pulp, Sam Fender and Wolf Alice, who each played one track from their shortlisted album. The Prize’s broadcast partner BBC Music provided coverage of the event with Deb Grant and Nathan Shepherd broadcasting live from Newcastle on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds, while BBC Four and BBC iPlayer showed the Awards Show from 9.30pm.

The move to Newcastle, in partnership with Newcastle City Council and The North East Combined Authority, signals a new dawn for the prestigious Prize, with the Awards Show proving to be another fantastic night celebrating the best British and Irish music of the year.

This year’s ceremony came at the end of an unprecedented week of celebrations in and around host city Newcastle. Powered by Generator – the North’s leading music development agency – the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe was a bold, region-wide celebration to bring the North East’s phenomenal music scene and iconic venues alive like never before. Running from Thursday 9th to Wednesday 15th October, the Mercury Fringe saw the region filled with live music, creative energy and new opportunities to not only showcase the North East’s incredible talent but to engage everyone; from local schools and music hubs to emerging artists, talent networks, established musicians, cultural organisations and music lovers eager to discover something new. Events included live gigs curated alongside local promoters, genre-spanning workshops and roundtables, a major industry conference, and intimate conversations with some of the UK’s most exciting and influential artists.

The Mercury Prize recognises the best new British & Irish music, celebrating artistic achievement across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres. As an independent arts prize, it champions the album format, acts as a snapshot of the year in music and often provides a major platform for up and coming artists and their musical work. The Prize has been an important milestone in many artists’ journeys, providing a stepping stone to wider success in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally.

Each year, the shortlist is curated by an independent judging panel of music industry professionals who are eternally passionate about spotlighting artistic achievement across a range of genres. The 2025 Mercury Prize judges are: Danielle Perry – Broadcaster (Absolute Radio/Jazz FM) & musician; Jamie Cullum – Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – 6 Music Broadcaster and DJ; Jeff Smith – Head of Music, Radio 2 & Radio 6 Music; Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant; Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson – Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times; Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster. The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith.

The 2025 Mercury Prize 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ are:

CMAT ‘EURO-COUNTRY’
Emma-Jean Thackray ‘Weirdo’
FKA twigs ‘EUSEXUA’
Fontaines D.C. ‘Romance’
Jacob Alon ‘In Limerence’
Joe Webb ‘Hamstrings & Hurricanes’
Martin Carthy ‘Transform Me Then Into A Fish’
Pa Salieu ‘Afrikan Alien’
PinkPantheress ‘Fancy That’
Pulp ‘More’
Sam Fender ‘People Watching’
Wolf Alice ‘The Clearing’

Your Favorite Color Unveils Emotional New Single “Where Did It All Go Wrong”

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 17, 2025

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Your Favorite Color Unveils Emotional New Single “Where Did It All Go Wrong”

Following a breakout year of international touring and a string of compelling releases, indie alt-rock band Your Favorite Color returns with their most vulnerable single to date: “Where Did It All Go Wrong?”

Building on the momentum of the anthemic “Forever” and the cathartic, confessional “Less in Love,” Your Favorite Color continues to carve out their place in the modern alt-rock landscape – striking a chord with listeners drawn to unfiltered honesty and emotional depth.

Written during a period of emotional unraveling, the track captures the internal fallout of chasing dreams and losing yourself in the process. It began with a haunting instrumental and cinematic arrangement, which laid the groundwork for introspective melodies and confessional lyrics. Leaning into a heavier, more atmospheric sound than their previous releases, the production mirrors the weight of a story steeped in regret and confusion.

“This song is about battling identity, isolation, and emotional disconnection after moving to Los Angeles – the weight of regret and confusion that comes from setting out to transform, only to end up lost in the process,” shares the band.

With aching lyrics like “I’m afraid of losing you, of losing me” and “I’m not ashamed, but I wish I was,” the track leans into raw emotion and heavier textures – blending ambient alt-rock with moody, late-night introspection. It’s a sharp turn from the liberating anthems “Less in Love” and “Forever,” revealing a deeper layer of the band’s artistic identity.