Artist: Collin Clowes
EP: Alexithymia
Release Date: September 1, 2023
Genre: Pop/ Easy Listening
Collin Clowes is an independent singer-songwriter and producer from Gorham/Thunder Bay, ON. His music consists of an indie pop sound with songwriting that consists of beautiful yet heartbreaking personal stories.
On September 1, Collin unveiled his six-song EP titled Alexithymia. He recorded the songs from the release in 2022 & 2023, at different times in his life, but found they worked together perfectly.
Collin shares,
“Alexithymia is used as a term for someone who cannot describe their feelings & I knew instantly it’d be the perfect name for my new project. I think this word perfectly encapsulates my head space, especially while making this EP. It’s almost like a numbness or disconnection that I would love to explain to someone but I wouldn’t even know how or where to begin. I really think that making this EP helped me find more clarity in my mind.”
He continues,
“The word “Alexithymia” sounded alien to me & that made me picture a planet in my mind where you’re alone just watching the world pass you by, wishing you could talk to people or explain yourself better. Almost like you’re isolated from a life you want to live. I designed the artwork to loosely look like a postcard from that place.”
Opening with “Cry,” Alexithymia immediately showcases Collin’s talents as a songwriter. The song tells a story of overcoming challenges and finding strength in tough times. The verses vividly describe a difficult journey where the characters face hardships and uncertainty. However, the chorus’ repetition of the desire to share what’s on the singer’s mind, despite knowing it may bring tears, adds depth to the emotional struggle.
Within “1995,” listeners embark on a nostalgic voyage, delving into an unrealized love story amidst personal and societal hurdles. At the heart of the song, the chorus serves as the emotional centerpiece, using the metaphor of “1995” to signify a simpler and more idealized time when love could have thrived without the weight of life’s complications. The recurring phrase “I swear we could have loved” not only captivates the ear but also underscores the profound feelings of missed chances and remorse.
Overall, Alexithymia possesses the ability to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and reflection. The music has the power to transport the listener to various points in time, enabling them to resonate with timeless themes such as love, loss, and personal evolution