Leading up to his “5 STAGES OF GRIEF” EP later this year, Canadian alt-pop artist Braden Bales (“CHRONICALLY CAUTIOUS”) returns with single three, “SUBTITLE,” combining his familiar energetic sound with an unique dreamy twist that left me in awe.
Starting with an acoustic intro with raw vocals only supported by single guitar strums, the poetic lyrics cut straight into the listeners heart. It feels authentic and almost like a cry out for the return of a deep and meaningful connection with a lost lover. Bales’ signature energetic chorus then comes in with a lot of power while managing to create a cohesive sound between emotionality, intensity and an unique atmospheric soundscape throughout the whole song.
“How could I just let you go?
Lillies I pass on the highway
Feel like a piece of your soul,
and subtitle what‘s on my mind, baby“
His lyricism makes use of descriptive and pictorial language to create a cinematic feel. It is almost as if the listener can connect with Bales’ emotions and thoughts through the screen by watching his story in a movie theater and reading along his thoughts in the subtitles. Since the first time that I listened to this song, I keep envisioning this one scene: an empty road under purple skies, next to blooming flower fields. However, there is something bittersweet about it; while the environment seems dreamy, the air is loaded with sorrow and heartbreak.
This feeling is supported by the cover art, which might have led me to this association as well, showing Bales sitting alone on a sofa looking in front of an old TV under purplish light. As an enthusiast of creative concepts and world-building around a song, this encapsulates and supports the emotion perfectly.
Next to the lyrics, the song lives from the duality between insightful verses and a sorrowful emotionally loaded chorus. The underlying twinkling soundscape created by ringing synth sounds in combination with melodic harmonies and backing vocals support the sentimental aura. It is for those who seek out comfort while sitting lost in thought about past loves in front of their window late at night, subtitling what’s on their mind.
“SUBTITLE” shows a brand new facet of Braden Bales’ artistry, both musically and lyrically. With this being just a glimpse into the new project, I am now even more curious about the course Bales‘ music is going to take in 2025.
