Gnash, we | Album Review 💿

Rising California alternative musician Gnash, best known for “I hate u, I love u,” releases a promising debut album with ‘we.’

Alternative artist Garret Nash, better known as gnash, had a huge ‘come-up’ in 2016, thanks to the release of hit single, “I hate u, I love u”. It was likely the unique, hipster vibe along with singing about the ups and downs of love that made the record “kind of a big deal.”  Post-‘hate/love,’ the versatile, 25-year old musician released several singles (“The broken hearts club” and “Imagine if” among them), continuing the grind to establish himself in the game.  Finally, January 2018 saw the release of his official debut album, We, which features plenty of pleasant, well-crafted records about love.

“Happy never after”

“Happy never after” sets the tone of We, exemplifying alt-pop, alt-hip-hop, acoustic stylistic vibe of the LP. Thematically, love is central, as Gnash makes it clear that a successful relationship between him and her is “The story that’ll never be we.” Interestingly, the expletive closing the brief opener (“Fuck”), perfectly sums up his emotional state.  Emo kids and those tortured by the plight of love everywhere can relate. 

There’s plenty to rave about on the follow up ✓ “Imagine if”.  Gnash may have an understated approach, but he continues to (1) allure and appeal with his distinct voice and (2) exhibit mad swagger.  As chill as this bro is, he has personality working on his side. His versatility shines through, as he sings and drops melodic bars.  He gets a bit salty asserting, “Imagine if I had the power to control the voices in my head / And I could tell them all to shut the fuck up,” once more showcasing the sheer beauty that is ‘For Under Consent of the King.’  Naturally, he imagines lots of things as he reminisces back to an unsuccessful relationship, partially thanks to him.  Beyond the plight of love fueling his fire, the production plays a sizable role as well.  Not only does gnash handle the boards, so do Digital Farm Animals.  Fueled by soulful piano with some synths and sick drum programming thrown in, it’s easy to see why “Imagine If” ends up being a resounding success.  

“Nobody’s home”

“All I that I know is I’m lonely here in my room / And all that I need is somebody who’s lonely too / I’d love to be alone with you.” Maybe it’s a bit sappy and schmaltzy, but again, the emotions that Gnash showcases on the breezy ✓ “Nobody’s home” are pretty standard of a young, hopeless romantic. The relationship has expired, and he’s feeling the aftershocks you might say – “But when I sleep at night, I dream that ‘we’ is ‘you and I,’ / And when I wake, I’m paralyzed, the bed is frozen on your side.” On the follow-up, ✓ “T-Shirt,” the emotional toll that he’s experiencing is much the same, with her t-shirt being the only thing that remains with him from their relationship.  By the end, he cusses the inanimate object, which serves as a reminder of how she broke his heart – “You broke my heart and all I got was this t-shirt / T-shirt, this stupid, fucking t-shirt.”

The chill and tropical vibes are real on the relaxed, ukulele-fueled “Insane.” Even though he’s chilled-out, retaining the hipster sensibilities, Gnash is ‘on the struggle bus,’ expressing his mental instability post-breakup.  “If today’s the day I go insane / Please tell my mom and dad I’m not in pain,” he sings on the third verse, continuing, “And tell my sister not to do the same.” Rather bare and stripped through much of the record, “Insane” gets beefier toward the end, with the addition of exuberant brass – any indie-pop musician’s dream.

“Dear Insecurity”

On ✓ “Dear Insecurity,” Gnash is joined by Australian folk singer Ben Abraham, who brilliantly sings the chorus.  He provides a nice contrast to Gnash, while also matching his musical sensibilities.  Once more, the singer/songwriter is ‘in his head,’ successfully addressing the thing that he hates the most – insecurity.  He returns the focus on clothing on the rhythmic “Pajamas,” well, not really.  The point of the ‘night pants’ is spending relaxing, carefree time together with someone you really dig and essentially, avoiding any barriers – downstairs, standard clothing, stress, etc.

“Wait” keeps things short and sweet, with emphasis on the sweet.  Here, Gnash only graces the listeners with one verse, but it’s emotional, finding the singer in his feelings once again.  Speaking of feelings, follow-up ✓ “The broken hearts club” reveals most of its cards with its title.  Gnash sets things up on the first verse.  Essentially, the singer/songwriter is devastated by the break-up and needs something – anything – to alleviate the pain.

“I need emotion, Novocaine, I need a numbing of my pain
I need somethin’ to take away the remains of your name
I need amnesia for a day and an umbrella for the rain
That hasn’t gone away since you said you didn’t need me.”

The second verse follows a similar script, finding gnash continuing to struggle with moving past her.  Prior, to the second verse, there’s the pre-chorus, where “A shady spot that they [a hazy mid-morning daydream] saved me.” On the chorus he goes on expound about the open arms of the broken hearts club (“…Where the lonely make the lonely feel less lonely… / Misery loves company, so hey, what do you say?’”), before joining it on the bridge. Gnash keeps things honest and simple, including the production.  The weight is on the words the heartbroken, moody vibes.

“Feel better” 

On “Feel better,” Gnash claims being with her essentially changes everything for him – life chief amongst them.  He can’t quite seem to pinpoint why (“That’s all that I know, head to my toes”), but it’s one of the more positive moments from We. Follow-up “Be” asks questions regarding the potential romantic connection.  Essentially, he’s unsure about a variety of things on this thoughtful acoustic cut, including the question raised on the beautiful, brilliant hypothetic chorus:

“If we fall apart
I’ll be right here to help you mend your heart
If feelings fade, we go our separate ways
Who’d be my light in dark?
Well, I don’t know
But what I do know is I hope we never do
I don’t know who I’d be without.”

“Do you miss me like I Miss you? / Fucked around and got attached to you / Friends can break your heart too, and / I’m always tired but never of you.”  The crowning achievement of his 2016 EP Us was undoubtedly ✓ “I hate u, I love u,” the sole reprisal on We. The breakout single by Gnash features rising, pop artist, Olivia O’Brien. The approach is as ‘oxymoronic’ as its title, with gnash delivering assertive, sometimes profane lyrics in a cool, calm, and collected manner.  Though he never seems to be melodramatic or overexcited – f-bombs and all – “I hate u, I love u” is extremely effective, chocked full of swagger.  “P.S.” briefly closes out We sweetly in understated fashion.  Like much of We, ‘it’s a vibe.’

Final Thoughts

All in all, Gnash releases a promising full-length debut album with We.  Throughout its course, he’s a combination of chill, emo, mellow, and most of all, affected by the ups and downs of love.  Perhaps the alt/emo/hipster thing grows a bit overindulgent at times (ole boy stays in those feelings after all), but more often than not, We is a genuine listening pleasure.  

✓ Gems: “Imagine if,” “Nobody’s home,” “T-Shirt,” “Insecurity,” “The broken hearts club” & “I hate u, I Love u”

Gnash • We • :): / Atlantic • Release: 1.11.18

Photo Credits: :): / Atlantic