Henry Alexander – Crush (2020)
There are a lot of breakup songs out there, but ‘Crush’ by Henry Alexander is a refreshing take on this. The breakup and emotions that are felt at that moment are told from the cusp of adulthood. Using this viewpoint fills the single with a sense of longing countered by detachment covered in a palpable youthful attraction.
This is the fourth release from Alexander and showcases another side of his musicality. The dazzling arrangement of the single is a tantalising blend of synths and youthful howls. Every element in this song combines to create a statement instead of just a reflection on emotions.
Alexander’s vocals hit you from the first moment of ‘Crush’. His performance has this youthful energy, but within this is a sense of anguish and longing. During the verses, you can feel the detachment of wanting to be left alone in the performance. This builds up to a livelier chorus that you will find yourself singing along to. At times, there is this whispering female voice that draws your attention and adds to the messaging of the song.
Below the vocals is an interesting melody. Full of light synths notes and gentle cymbals, the melody is a soft tractor beam drawing you into the song. It does become more energetic for the chorus with a burst of additional instrumentation. The arrangement of the melody funnels the emotions of the track through your veins. It also helps to create the statement of the song.
Henry Alexander takes a youthful approach to breakup songs considering moments of longing and moving on in ‘Crush’. His emotive performance is full of reflection and youthful attraction while offering a sense of detachment and wanting to be left alone.
Find out more about Henry Alexander on his Instagram and Spotify.
