After two albums that heavily relied on emotion and drama, Conan Gray takes a slower approach to Wishbone. This third studio album isn’t all about bright catchy moments or emotional outbursts. Instead, it’s a collection of songs that just focuses on the small parts of simple songwriting and honesty.
Gray has always made emotional pop music, but Wishbone feels much more grounded. Instead of loud backtracks, the music is much softer, letting the words and his vocals shine through. The first song of the album, “Actor,” makes this clear right away, as it has a beautiful start that sets a thoughtful tone.
The lyrics are similar to what Gray usually sings about: heartbreak, doubt, and uncertainty. But here, the writing is simple, with fewer comparisons and getting right to the point. This shows in the song “Nauseous,” which feels heavy but doesn’t get too dramatic. One special line in “Nauseous” would be: “Maybe I’m here waiting for someone, to get through my years of trying to trust them.”
For me, the best songs would be “Vodka Cranberry” and “Eleven Eleven.” “Vodka Cranberry” is soft but has a deep meaning, with feelings that are easy to connect with. The rawness of the lyrics hit me harder than I expected, and I immediately fell in love with it, especially since he performs it so often. “Eleven Eleven” feels more direct and emotional while still being a soft song, making it the perfect song for a study playlist. The song is about waiting for someone in the past, no matter how long it takes. Both songs are soft yet strong and leave a deep impression.
Personally, I would give this album a 8/10. It might not be everyone’s favorite Conan Gray album, especially if you like the dramatic choruses of Superache or the bright catchy songs in Kid Krow. The album’s feeling can also feel like too much at the same time. While listening, I found myself zoning out a bit, as certain songs in the middle sound very similar, and there aren’t many surprises. But for the tone that the album sets, Wishbone does very well. If you like simple, calming music that stays in your head all day, Wishbone may become your favorite. You can listen to Wishbone on Spotify or Apple Music.
