conan gray - wishbone: expectations + first impressions
Conan Gray is nothing short of impressive. He has grown from a YouTuber cover artist to making some of this decade’s biggest hits during the pandemic (in reference to “Maniac” & “Heather”). Through the 2020s, Gray has released 3 studio albums as well as 4 standalone singles (Including “Fake”), and now, in such an unexpected fashion, he is back with his 4th. “Wishbone” was announced earlier today and here is my take on what I’m expecting and what I know.
Conan Gray normally followed a pattern whenever he did his album announcements. He would release a couple singles, some in the album and one not, then he would announce the album, release another single or two and then boom, album. Then two years will go by and then comes the next LP. This pattern was followed for his albums Kid Krow & Superache, but was broken for his third LP, Found Heaven.
Point being, Gray had a set pattern for his marketing strategies, but all of that was chunked out the window for this upcomer. Here’s a breakdown.
Kid Krow came to light with the prior singles, Checkmate, Comfort Crowd & Maniac, then The Story was released right after the official announcement and Wish You Were Sober 2 days before the album, without warning or notice. Superache came to light with the prior singles, Astronomy, People Watching & Jigsaw, then Memories & Yours after he announced the record. Again with Never Ending Song, Winner, Killing Me, Lonely Dancers & Alley Rose for Found Heaven.
With this record, he didn’t release anything. No single prior but a single after, The Song, which will become the second track off the album, is going to be released next friday, May 30th. He stated in his Instagram post, “i didn’t tell my friends. i didn’t tell my label. after all, i didn’t know i was making anything, and i had no plan to release any of it.” Gray gave us a description of the album by saying this is something he never expected but rather, he grew to. This is a new sensation and one that has caused some of the best albums to be created. Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever & Hit Me Hard And Soft both happened in a similar way, and those are considered, both by critics & fans, to be her best work. The fact that this record had snuck up on everyone, Gray included, makes me more excited to hear this LP.
He also stated that this record reminded him of his experimental 20s, “where ‘who i am’ had no definition" at all.” This makes me feel as if we might get a taste of all 3 of his prior records in this one. I feel we might get the more playful and upbeat sound we got in Kid Krow, while also experiencing a more dark and trauma-based sound in some tracks, similar to those off of Superache. In Found Heaven, we got a more, optimistic sound from Gray (for lack of a better word). I think this new album, Wishbone will incorporate each and every one of these sounds, but with a new found twist.
What’s to note with his last LP, it almost seemed like Conan took a preacher stance on his love story. Almost like a “It’ll be okay my child” sort of thing. Reminds me of Ian Gallagher being the Gay Jesus in a funny way. Literally saying “Don’t be scared, little child” in the opening track. I felt like Gray was making that LP with the thought of helping his fans get out of heartbreak with the optimistic perspective of, “As long as you know you had the capacity to love, you’ll be okay.” However with this record, I have the hunch that Gray is more-or-less, making this record for himself. For his own healing and from the sound of his caption, with the intention to find & assign a new definition of who he his as a person. Grown & new.
Now I’m gonna take a second to dive more into the physical media predictions, as I need to. I’m a nerd, what do you want me to say. With Kid Krow, Gray & Republic Records released two colored LPs, one a clear with black smoke record and the other, a translucent red with black smoke. Followed by several others, there is only one Standard Black LP that was briefly and anonymously released in Europe. With Superache, Gray & Republic released three LPs on Ruby Red Vinyl, Translucent Green Vinyl & Red / Black Marbled Vinyl, followed by a anonymously released Walmart Exclusive, Black Ice LP. Found Heaven had literally 7 colors released before the album was. With a couple more with variations such as signed posters, alternate covers and what not. There isn’t (as of this moment) a Black LP for it. Wishbone has literally one variant right now and it’s a black disc. Not exactly eye candy, but it doesn’t make a single difference to me.
Taking a bigger & deeper dive into the records, I’m placing my bet that more likely than not, it’ll be a DMM master and pressed at GZ Media. If not DMM then mastered to lacquer by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound. Can’t wait to see if I’m right but back to business.
With only one LP variant, one CD and no cassettes, this record is different in every single way and yet, I think it’ll be a combination of everything we previously experienced with the last eras. I can’t wait to hear what I hope will be a more personal and true to Conan record. My pre-order is in and I just simply cannot contain my excitement. Conan you will always have a special spot in my heart and record collection. Here’s to your fourth.
P.S. I want to do reissues of your music just sayin’.
-Cash Windham (Owner of Astrial Pressings)
