"Easy On Your Own?" is a single by Canadian indie pop band Alvvays, released on August 10, 2022 via Polyvinyl. The song is the second single and second track from Blue Rev (2022).[2]

"Easy On Your Own?"
Single by Alvvays
from the album Blue Rev
ReleasedAugust 10, 2022
Genre
Length2:54
Label
Songwriter(s)Alvvays
Producer(s)Shawn Everett[1]
Alvvays singles chronology
"Pharmacist"
(2022)
"Easy On Your Own?"
(2022)
"Belinda Says"
(2022)

Composition and lyrics edit

"Easy On Your Own?" is a dream pop,[3][4] indie rock[4] and shoegaze[4][5] song. The track uses audio feedback,[4] distortion,[1] and the glide guitar technique.[3] Molly Rankin's vocals are low in the mix compared to the instrumental.[3]

Publications vary on their interpretation of the lyrics. According to Stereogum, the lyrics of "Easy On Your Own?" are about "feeling disaffected and worrying about the future",[6] while Paste said they "describe a long-term relationship so damaged, it might not be worth saving".[3] Later, in Paste's review of Blue Rev, they wrote the track "neatly blurs the lines between a floundering relationship and the drudgery of our current times".[7] According to Consequence, the lyrics are about "[working] through a breakup".[4] Using the title, Uproxx interpreted the lyrics as Rankin asking if life gets "easier on [her] own".[8] According to Exclaim, the track is an "absolutely devastating account of the aimlessness of early adulthood".[9] According to The Skinny, on the lyrics, Rankin is "wondering aloud whether she is moving through life or life moves around her".[10]

Pitchfork highlighted the following line from the lyrics, since it is representative of one of Blue Rev's themes: “I dropped out / College education’s a dull knife / If you don’t believe in the lettered life / Then maybe this is our only try.”[11] Loud and Quiet highlighted the line "crawling in monochromatic hallways" since it exemplifies the lyrics' strong imagery.[12]

Reception edit

Stereogum described the track as "fuzzy and satisfyingly blown-out".[6] Paste compared the track to My Bloody Valentine, and praised its complex textures and conciseness.[3]The Fader described the track as a "richly melodic pop jam," and said it sounds darker than the first single, "Pharmacist".[13] According to The Skinny, the track is "peak Rankin".[10] TheNeedleDrop said Rankin's vocals sound "more impassioned" than they were on Antisocialites.[14]: 1:41 

References edit

  1. ^ a b Bell, Kaelen. "Alvvays Share New Song "Easy on Your Own?"". exclaim.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. ^ Arcand, Rob (August 10, 2022). "Alvvays Share New Song "Easy on Your Own?"". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Alvvays Share Another New Single, "Easy on Your Own?"". pastemagazine.com. August 9, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Anderson, Carys (August 10, 2022). "Alvvays share new single "Easy on Your Own?": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  5. ^ Alvvays - Blue Rev Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved October 15, 2022
  6. ^ a b "Alvvays Share New Song "Easy On Your Own?": Listen". Stereogum. August 10, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "Alvvays Rough Up Their Perfect Pop Songs on Blue Rev". pastemagazine.com. October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  8. ^ "Alvvays Asks If It Gets 'Easy On Your Own' On A New Song". UPROXX. August 10, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  9. ^ "Alvvays Are Unpredictable, Harsh and Better Than Ever on 'Blue Rev' | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Alvvays - Blue Rev: album review - The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  11. ^ Larson, Jeremy D. "Alvvays: Blue Rev". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "Alvvays - Blue Rev - Album Review". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "Alvvays share new song "Easy On Your Own?"". The FADER. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  14. ^ Fantano, Anthony (October 15, 2022). Alvvays - Blue Rev Album Review. TheNeedleDrop. YouTube.