Conan Gray, a pop singer-songwriter most known for his hit single “Heather,” released his fourth studio album on Aug. 15 titled “Wishbone.” “Wishbone” is a 12-track concept album detailing a closeted queer relationship.
The album opens with “Actor,” a song that narrates the summer of a secret relationship. Gray opens the song with the lyrics, “Nobody saw us in the hotel lobby.” Throughout the song there are references to intimacy in the metaphorical dark. Gray writes he spent his whole summer in coat check—a nod to the phrase of being in the closet as a queer person. He writes about wanting to play along in the coverup of the relationship, but admits, “You’re a much better actor than me.”
Directly following is his first single of the album, “This Song,” which acts as a love confession. Gray writes, “Your eyes are like heaven/Your voice is like rain/ Eleven eleven’s all hear your name.” “This Song,” is accompanied by a music video starring Gray playing Will and Corey Fogelmanis as Brando. The two share tender moments interrupted by a fight due to Brando flirting with a woman in front of Will. Although they make up in the end the lyrics read, “Is it dumb believing you might love me back,” in the background, a reply, “Yeah,” is heard. This happy ending is temporary.
This is confirmed in the third track, and second single “Vodka Cranberry.” The chorus lyrics read, “Speak up I know you hate me,” after reference to a break in their relationship depicting a constant on-again-off-again. In the music video the two characters go on a road trip where Will tries to hold Brando’s hand in public but Brando pulls away—not ready to come out.
“If you won’t end things I will,” repeats throughout the chorus and the video shows prominent tension between the two. At the end Will wakes up and finds himself alone in their hotel room.
The album’s seventh track is titled “Nauseous,” which gives insight on why Will the character and Gray choose the relationships they do. “Nauseous,” seems to reference a different, more positive relationship but Gray writes, “Your love is a threat and I’m nauseous.” Gray promises himself that he will never be too trusting again and sings, “Behind every kiss is a jaw that can bite/And maybe that’s why I feel safe with bad guys/Because when they hurt me/I won’t be surprised.”
He credits his fear of loving relationships to the normalization of negative ones being modeled in his home. “Caramel,” the following track and final album single, shows its repercussions.
In the video, Will and Brando run in to each other as background lyrics read, “Did me wrong in the past/and I know it was bad/but you burn inside my memory so well.” Comparing the relationship to making caramel—getting burned but believing in the sweetness, the relationships good moments make the pain worth it. By the video’s end, the couple gets back together as the song signifies the reentrance into a toxic cycle.
The album continues on as we hear about the final demise of the relationship with “Connell” and “Sunset Tower” depicting his ex moving on and Gray not wanting to hear of it. “Eleven Eleven”is a near midnight confession that Gray still wishes for his ex’s return, and “Care,” the final track of acceptance. Gray tells himself they are over, for what is the final time but still allows himself to care about the other person no matter how much they hurt one another.
“Wishbone” is yet another raw, relatable album from Gray. Even though his past relationship ended poorly, it’s clear with such a project to be proud of, he nor his listeners are left with the short end of the stick this time.