Following his three previously released EP’s, U, Me, and Us, gnash has released a 13-track album, we, that shows a raw perspective based on his experiences with love, friendships, and the world. It walks you through the journeys of falling out of love, discovering yourself, and figuring out how to deal with your emotions. These songs could’ve come straight out of his diary.
Gnash uses his songs to demonstrate that it’s okay to go through these emotions, as well as encouraging people to find their own way of expressing them.
The first track “happy never after” is his first mention of heartbreak, about how true love doesn’t exist. After she leaves him, he has a tough time believing in love and trusts that love doesn’t always have a happy ending. It’s a note to himself to not trust anyone after getting his heart broken.
“imagine if” is one of gnash’s most popular songs, garnering over 4.5 million views on YouTube. The song is about being in a certain place in life but wishing to turn back time to fix the wrongs in his life. It’s an enjoyable music video where gnash uses a camcorder and VHS to send a message to the girl he regrets hurting.
“nobody’s home” draws the lonely feeling of starting the week and not having anyone to be alone with. He dreams of being with someone who he can go get coffee with and not needing to hang around his home alone.
“t-shirt” pays homage to the bands that have made an influence in his career, including Good Charlotte, All Time Low, Travis Barker, Paramore, My Chemical Romance and Panic! At The Disco. gnash speaks about being left with a t-shirt after his relationship fails. “You broke my heart and all I got was this t-shirt” he calls out. The track has accumulated over 2.5 million streams since its release this past December.
In “insane,” gnash recalls speaking to his therapist and family about his relationship ending, which leads to the day he thinks he’ll have a major breakdown. “Today might be the day, the day I go insane” shadows the days of going through a long period of loneliness and wanting everything to be okay. He’s trying his best but the day is coming where he’ll go “insane.”
Following the lonesome track, “dear insecurity” debacles the never-ending struggle with insecurity. “Oh insecurity, when are you going to get your hands off me?” is something we can all relate with. gnash mentions changing who you are for one person and when that fails, it leads to the feeling of not being enough. In the end, he describes being yourself as something you should be proud of.
“pajamas” is all about staying home in your pajamas, ignoring all the problems in the outside world, and watching TV without any stress. He wants to recall the good memories like this and not let the anxiety take over him.
“wait” slowly and gently asks someone to wait for him. With all the stresses of the world, he tried to give his best in the relationship but something kept pulling them apart: “if you let me, I would like to give my life to you, so will you wait.”
With over one million views on YouTube, “the broken hearts club” was released in 2018 as the most relatable breakup song gnash has released. This club is for all the people who are dealing with breakup as “misery loves company.” Gnash uses the rhythmic acoustic guitar to expand on how welcoming the club is, which he joins by the end of the song.
In “feel better” gnash describes the comfort of being with that special person and feeling better in their presence. “You make me feel worth it, shake off the nervous and wake up with purpose, it’s true.” He’s also trying to make sure that he brings happiness for that person by letting them know that they bring him lots of happiness.
“be” acknowledges everything good that has happened in his relationship. He sings “I don’t know who I’d be without you” to thank the person for giving him love and getting him through the darkness.
“i hate u, i love u” is the song that put gnash on the map, gathering over 406 million views on YouTube. Released in 2015 on Soundcloud, “i hate u, i love u” features Olivia O’Brien’s somber vocals to create this reflection of a failed relationship that goes through the various stages of falling in and out of love. It recently debuted at #93 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In the final minute and a half song “p.s.,” gnash lets his lover know that he is always available whenever they call and will be as supportive as he can be. He implies that the love that they shared isn’t completely gone while tying it back to the title of his debut album. “Even if we’re not together, we’ll forever be we” end the vocals and slow taps on the piano.
The 25-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer gnash, has released a comforting, relatable album that can put us both at ease as well as in our feelings through the instruments, pace and calming vocals used in the 13 tracks.
If you want to hear these songs live, The Broken Hearts Club Tour began on Jan. 8 in Austin, TX and goes through the U.S. until the last date on February 8 in Los Angeles, CA. Gnash will be joined by special guests Carlie Hanson, Mallrat, and Guardin. Tickets are now available here.
Are you seeing gnash on tour? Let us know on Twitter .@CelebMix