[usr 4.5]

Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn makes a personal statement on “G.D.M.M.L. GRLS,” one of the several singles from his forthcoming solo debut, ‘Excommunication’.

Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn prepares to release his debut solo album, Excommunication.  Glenn makes a big social statement with single “G.D.M.M.L. GRLS,” which stands for God Didn’t Make Me Like Girls.  What’s interesting is that more listeners are unaware of the song, where Glenn gets personal about his sexuality and the hurdles associated with being gay.

“G.D.M.M.L. GRLS” opens with a synth, recollecting shades of the neo-new wave sound of Neon Trees.  The groove is danceable, while the production work overall possesses a wealth of angst. Throughout, “G.D.M.M.L. GRLS” is heavily produced.  Ultimately, it’s a loud, intense record.  There’s clearly the sense that Glenn has both middle fingers up.

Glenn’s voice is stunning. His pipes have great depth and a desirable tone. His nuances are superb, conveying the passion of the subject matter.  Clearly, he’s fed up with others – specifically Mormons – telling him who he should like and how he should feel.

“They wanna talk about my sin / They wanna say I’ve lost my shit / I’m losing my religion / And I just can’t get over it, over it.”

He sums his emotions up soundly on the powerful chorus:

“I keep on hearing evil voices, voices / yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah / they keep on messing with my choices, choices / I keep on telling them / Hey, God didn’t give me alternative, no / when she put me on the earth / God didn’t make me like girls / God didn’t make like girls.”

Final Thoughts

“G.D.M.M.L. GRLS” definitely sounds like something that Tyler Glenn needed to get out of his system.  What better way to do so than a song that a number of people will be able to relate to? What makes “G.D.M.M.L. GRLS” so great is the authenticity and the honesty.

Tyler Glenn • Excommunication • Island • Release: 10.21.16

Photo Credit: Island