With her new Flock of Dimes album Head of Roses arriving in just over two weeks, Jenn Wasner is offering us a final preview of the treasures it beholds. Following up “Two” and “Price of Blue” comes today’s new offering “Hard Way”, with Wasner saying:
“Although I didn’t fully understand when I wrote it, this song is an example of the power of the subconscious mind to hide truths from ourselves that we’re not yet ready to see. When I wrote this song I was still in the throes of new love, and I thought I was writing a straightforward, earnest love song. But when I tried to record it, something about the tone of it was eerie, strange, a bit darker than I would have expected. It wasn’t until long after I wrote it that I became aware of its odd foreshadowing of what was to come—that something I intended to be bright and hopeful in the moment was floating on top of a deep current of unease.”
Where the previous singles have seen her go quite maximalist, both on synth and guitar, “Hard Way” turns further inwards and the production follows suit, with barely more than a plodding electronic piano accompanying Wasner’s vocoded voice. This forces us to dwell in this liminal space of uncertainty with her, to appreciate her words and reflections – abstract as they may be – and to come away with some newfound understanding of the subtle complexities in our own lives.
The video for “Hard Way” was shot in Joshua Tree and you can watch it below, or find the song on streaming platforms.
Flock of Dimes’ new album Head of Roses arrives on April 2 via Sub Pop (pre-order/save). Follow Flock of Dimes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
