Released: 20th March 2020
Rating: ★★★★
When you’re dealing with potential pop stars as a ‘magazine’ (hi, that’s us – Ed), you’re often furnished with a sort of glam record of achievement; a list of ‘stuff’ someone has achieved in order to get to a certain point. Conan Gray’s is somewhat impressive. Apparently, songs from debut album ‘Kid Krow’ have been streamed over 500 million times before the album is even released. He’s sold out three headline tours, been co-signed by Billie Eilish, BTS, Halsey and The 1975, and even been named as “best dressed” at Grammy afterparties. Get him.
But unlike so many, our Conan doesn’t just walk the stats-based walk. He delivers the goods too. Every inch the modern pop star, ‘Wish You Were Sober’ isn’t too cool for a massive hook, but still makes it sound achingly now regardless. ‘The Cut That Always Bleeds’ burns slow but strong, ‘Affluenza’ offers a woozy bounce, and closer ‘The Story’ plucks at the heartstrings with delicate ease. The complete package, a cheesier publication would probably include some awful pun about their being 50 shades of Conan Gray. Like him, we’re obviously far better than that.
Stephen Ackroyd
