Toronto’s GENTLE Tackle Social-Anxiety With New Single, “Introvert Anthem”
From a DIY project that formed at the beginning of the Pandemic to now a full-blown act, Toronto, ON-based shoegaze/ dream-pop band GENTLE has unveiled their latest single, “Introvert Anthem.”
“Introvert Anthem” is bittersweet and expansive sonically – with intensely self-aware and anxiety-ridden lyrics. The track is written, performed, and produced by GENTLE members Oliver O’Brien and Matt Fasullo.
O’Brien shares his intent behind the song,
“If you’ve ever seen that meme where the guy is a party, standing in the corner watching others dance and having fun while he laments “They don’t know about_____,” this song is about that guy. Social anxiety sucks, but sometimes you can spend too much time in your own head judging everyone around you. I am constantly struggling with this. I often have trouble in social situations and end up cowering in the corner, but then I catch myself thinking condescending thoughts as a self-defense mechanism and it’s a rabbit hole I hate going down. I try my best to convey this with the line “oh my god he’s just like me, secretly a comedy.” I”m identifying with Robert Deniro’s character in Taxi Driver by thinking I come off as a mysterious lone wolf, but really I’m just a punchline who can’t get through a conversation.”
Review
With a subdued beat, “Introvert Anthem” portrays the feeling of being socially uncomfortable and isolated.
The lyrics express the familiar feeling of detachment and wanting to maintain control in social situations. The repetition of wanting to keep one’s shirt on at a pool party and not wanting to drink with oneself suggests a desire to maintain a sense of self-control and perhaps a feeling of not fitting in with the party atmosphere.
The first line of the chorus, sung in a melancholic tone, “I’m having a great conversation with the wall” reflects a desire for introspection and personal reflection, suggesting that the narrator feels more at ease in their own thoughts than engaging with others.
Overall, as a whole, the track perfectly encapsulates a relatable sentiment of needing personal space and introspection in the midst of a crowded environment.