Bleachers, Hate That You Know Me | Track Review 🎵

Bleachers continue an excellent track record of superb singles with “Hate That You Know Me,” the second single from the sophomore album, Gone Now.

Fun. member Jack Antonoff is back ladies and gents, as the brainchild of Bleachers.  In case it needs reiteration, Bleachers released its debut album, Strange Desire, in 2014.  The crème de la crème was the enthusiastic hit single, “I Wanna Get Better.” In preparation for his sophomore album, Gone Now, Antonoff dropped a superb promo single, “Don’t Take the Money”. He follows up the effort with another exceptional single, “Hate That You Know Me.” “Hate That You Know Me” was co-written with pop singer/songwriter, Julia Michaels.

From the jump, “Hate That You Know Me” has hit written all over it.  On each of his verses, at end of each stanza, Antonoff emphasizes the keyword from the title, hate.

“And you know what? I hate it.”

On the verses, Antonoff builds the case against things he doesn’t like about himself.  On the first verse, he admits hatred because he “Carries all of my old lies.” On the second verse, he “…Keeps talking about eighteen / ‘Cause I can’t let go of the same dream.”  All in all, he seems to be lying to others, and arguably, even to himself.  On the pre-chorus, he addresses his lover, who can read between all the BS.

“Oo-oo-ooh
Long way down
You’re such a heart attack
But it feels like oo-oo-ooh
Pressure points
They pressure you right back
Come on, think about it.”

Finally, if the pre-chorus didn’t clearly express the sentiment of the song, the Carly Rae Jepsen assisted chorus does the trick.

“Sometimes I hate that you know me so well
Sometimes I, I hate that you know me so well
Some days I, I wish that I wasn’t myself
No luck!
And I hate that you know me so well.”

Jepsen gives Antonoff a brilliant assist, even though she’s not credited as a featured artist.  Regardless, her distinct, cutting-edge pipes provide a lift to throwback gem, which is drenched in 80s cues.

Final Thoughts

Once more, Bleachers has outdone itself…or himself.  Arguably, “Hate That You Know Me” trumps “Don’t Take the Money,” a fine promo single in its own right.  This record is well produced and while Jack Antonoff is indeed the star, Carly Rae Jepsen gives him a run for his money without being prominently featured.  Expect Gone Now to be a treat.

Bleachers • Gone Now • RCA • Release: 6.2.17 

Photo Credit: RCA