“Who hurt Conan Gray?” is the main question that a person is left with when listening to the singer’s latest track, ‘Yours’. In fact, it’s a question that has been building through all of the singer’s 2022 singles. However, while the themes of being scorned by a lover are nothing new to Gray, this track opts for simple instrumentation to accentuate his point.
‘Yours’, at its centre, is a lament. Gray sings to his lover of being “Somebody you call when you’re alone / Somebody you use, but never own.” His desire for exclusivity is later expressed in the repeated pre-chorus: “All I really wanted was that look in your eyes / Like you already know that I’m the love of your life / Like you already know you’re never saying goodbye.” They’re deeply melancholic lyrics, and Gray’s clear voice cuts through to express his inner thoughts with a deft clarity that is resonantly haunting.
The choice to deviate from his usual indie-pop style, and instead produce a simple piano ballad adds to the eerie nature of the piece. It strips everything back to allow for the lyrics to take centre stage. That being said, the bridge — similar to the artist’s previous work — builds with great effect, so that his feelings are felt throughout as deeply by the listener as the singer.
‘Yours’ ultimately continues on Gray’s path of emotional vulnerability expressed through catchy and memorable tunes.
Words by Rehana Nurmahi
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