On April 5th, American singer-songwriter, Conan Gray, debuted his third studio album, “Found Heaven”. Prior to its release, five singles from the album were released to the public: “Never Ending Song”, “Winner”, “Killing Me”, “Lonely Dancers”, and “Alley Rose.” The album itself is composed of 13 tracks total.
This new album has taken a distinct turn from the style of Gray’s previously acclaimed albums, titled “Superache” and “Kid Krow”.“Found Heaven” is a beaming ray of sunshine compared to the emotional downpour that Gray’s first two records offered to listeners. The sentimental, somber palette of his previous releases is opposite the high tempo, buoyant one of “Found Heaven.”
Gray’s previous albums dive deep into themes of heartbreak, yearning, friendship, and the pains of his childhood, and are much more poignant and emotion-evoking than his latest one. Gray has previously been known for his achey, indie-pop, stripped down style of music, but that has very obviously been converted with the release of “Found Heaven”. There is a drastic difference in the style, content, lyrics, and even perspectives of Gray’s first albums compared to his most recent.
Another way this change is marked is by the album covers, where “Superache” and “Kid Krow” are forlorn appearing and on the more monotone side, where the recent release is extremely colorful and incandescent, on the outside as well as its content.
There are many music artists who have branched out from their original genres, transitioning from country to pop, rock to country, and even pop to rock. However, Conan Gray has been one of the first to develop from a previously indie, less blithe genre of songwriting and turning to a 80s, electro-pop composition. This album exhibits the transition into more of a pop-centered and disc style of songwriting.
Even though the topics of the songs may not demonstrate as much depth as they formerly have, the songs still address topics that portray Gray’s experiences in a different light. The song for the album’s namesake, “Found Heaven”, is extremely upbeat, however, it narrates an impactful journey, including matters such as pushing through self-doubt, finding self-worth, and identity, he song seeming to be speaking to a younger version of Gray, or even simply a different person entirely who may have had similar feelings as him when he was younger.
A single on the album outlying the others with similar lyrics to his previous albums, is “Lonely dancers”. As the name of the song suggests, the song discusses dancing, even when feeling lonely or upset, heartbreak, and ex-lovers. One lyric in the song is, “We’re both alone now, tears in our eyes”, and this, despite the song being set to an extremely upbeat tempo, contradicts the melancholic lyrics.
Overall, Conan Gray has stepped into the next stage of his career through the release of his most recent album, and with the distinct and astonishing progression of his songwriting from one genre to the next, what is to come from him in the future remains a mystery.
