Recommended Tracks: “What’s It Gonna Take To Break Your Heart?”, “Family Feud,” “Lotus Eater”
Artists You Might Like: Lizzy McAlpine, Conan Gray, JP Saxe
Subtlety can be a hand grenade sometimes, often catching you off guard. Just like an unexpected detonation, subtle moments can disrupt and transform the way we think, and it becomes clear that even the quiet nuances have the greatest impact. While a Grammy or two may surprise some, they don’t faze FINNEAS. The 27-year old producer and songwriter channels strength through subtlety and quiet courage on his sophomore album, For Cryin’ Out Loud!, released Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, via Interscope Records.
A follow-up to his debut record, Optimist (2021), FINNEAS crafts music that invites you to dance, cry, sing along or simply lie on the hardwood floor and stare at the ceiling as it plays in the background. This new album elevates his solo artistry, showcasing his distinctive sound through piano, guitar and innovative production that is very much his own, all while highlighting a newfound self-assurance.
The album opens with the piano ballad “Starfucker,” in which FINNEAS is frustrated with someone who seems to thrive on conflict. The song cleverly references the title of his previous album, Optimist, highlighting the dichotomy of dealing with a narcissist. As the track progresses, strings are introduced in the second half, allowing his vocals to soar above a tight, ethereal rhythm. This leads into “What’s It Gonna Take To Break Your Heart?”, which features a guitar vibe reminiscent of Michael Jackson. The song starts with a mellow feel before shifting into a groovy melody, as he sings, ”We can play it rain or shine if it ever rains again / Tell me when you see the signs so I know it’s happening.”
FINNEAS delivers an ode to an unrequited crush on “Cleats,” an indie-pop track featuring his airy vocals sprinkled over warm acoustic guitar. The accompanying music video, directed by Isaac Ravishankara, captures that feeling of being young and in love. On “Cleats,” the singer is being kicked around by youthful heartbreak and hopeful teenage romance against a backdrop of minimalist songwriting and bedroom pop vibes. He reflects on these feelings with lyrics like “Nothing you can do either / Old crush on the new teacher / Wave as soon as you see her / From the bleachers.”
The funkiness of “2001” shines after the haunting power ballad “Little Window.” On “2001,” FINNEAS metaphorically waits for the dark side of the moon, reflecting on the frustration of waiting for someone who seems elusive or troubled. He asks, “Honey, what you runnin’ from? / Where the hell you headed to? / Do you like the way I run after you?”
FINNEAS splits “Sweet Cherries” into two parts, a recurring theme in his music. In Part I, he addresses a girl he was interested in who has been hurt by another woman, which FINNEAS predicted. In the chorus, he sings, “Couldn’t take my eyes off you / She’s watching too / Sweet cherries do.” In Part II, he shifts focus to a fling who struggles to keep both platonic and romantic relationships, singing, “Call me what you want when I’m not around / Every bridge you cross, you just burn it down.” While it’s unconfirmed, it’s possible the fling is the girl FINNEAS describes in Part I, with Part II establishing an exciting, groovy vibe.
The title track “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” plays on the expression in a literal sense, detailing the highs and lows of a relationship. As a result, the phrase “for crying out loud” can convey annoyance or frustration, which FINNEAS blends with bedroom pop and funk. He sings, “For cryin’ out loud / I’m calling your name / You’re wearing me out / But I love you the same,” before affirming his deep connection with his girlfriend, Claudia Sulewski, to which the song is a love letter to (“I’m singing your praises”).
On “Family Feud,” FINNEAS highlights the sibling dynamic with his little sister, Billie Eilish. He describes how their relationship has evolved as they’ve grown up, commenting on her unprecedented fame and how “the world is watching [her].” Despite the title, the song is a sweet ode to Eilish and his relationship with her, singing, “Just the way it almost was / When it’s just the two of us / Sleep all day, I’ll wake you up / When it’s just the two of us.”
In the album’s final moments, FINNEAS presents a slow, contemplative conclusion with “Lotus Eater,” adopting a somber tone. The title references characters in Homer’s Odyssey, who exist in a state of blissful lethargy after consuming lotus. He sings, “Say it like you mean it / Couldn’t keep a secret / And maybe you could leave it out, out-out / Backseat and my teeth hurt / Blowing out the speaker / I’m the lotus eater now.” With “Lotus Eater,” FINNEAS hopes to lose himself a bit and find some joy in the present moment.
For Cryin’ Out Loud! conveys a quietly sweet optimism that is simplistic. FINNEAS embraces minimalistic production and a quiet courage, resulting in a sound that feels uniquely his. With a gentle cry and a brand-new self-assurance, the singer shows us that he is the most confident he’s ever been.
Keep up with FINNEAS: Instagram // Spotify // X // YouTube // Website
