As the months roll by and the end of 2020 is in sight, it should come as no surprise when I say that 2020 has been a challenging year for most. We’ve seen a pandemic devastate once-thriving communities and witnessed the senseless murder of George Floyd on national television. The reality of the situation we’re living in becomes increasingly more complex with each passing day. FINNEAS, however, has done the unthinkable and managed to distill all of our trials, tribulations, and hopes into his latest song, “What They’ll Say About Us.” When asked about his latest single, the four-time Grammy award-winning songwriter had this to say about its creation:
“I wrote this song in June after spending the day at a protest in Downtown LA, filled with hope with the prospect that millions of people were coming together from all over the world to fight against institutionalized racism and inequality. During that time, I’d also been following Amanda Kloots as she documented her husband Nick Cordero’s time in the ICU while in a coma after being admitted for COVID-19. Imagining her sitting by his side, waiting, hopeful for him to wake up, it got me thinking about all the millions of people, all over the world, who also have loved ones, parents, children, and extended family members going through the same thing. Fighting this horrific virus. Some will over-come and wake up again, while others, tragically may not. This song is dedicated to all who have had to endure this year. I hope this song can offer some sort of comfort to those who may need it.”
FINNEAS’ latest single “What They’ll Say About Us” follows up on the release of his debut EP, Blood Harmony (Deluxe). For long-time fans of FINNEAS, the single is a true to form representation of his style. Reminiscent of fan-favorites like “Break My Heart Again,” the single contains a beautifully crafted piano melody and moving lyrics that carry through the entirety of the piece. However, “What They’ll Say About Us” differs from FINNEAS’ previous singles and fan-favorites. In the sense that it has become one of those rare songs that captures the feeling of a generation.
Aside from capturing the feelings of a generation, “What They’ll Say About Us” possesses this melancholic tone about it; however, it doesn’t succumb to this melancholy. In contrast, the 23-year-old artist has managed to imbue the track with a bright and hopeful sense of refuge for those battering the storm that is 2020. From lyrics like, “You’re tired now, lie down / I’ll be waiting to give you the good news / It might take patience” to the highly celebrated music video, “What They’ll Say About Us” is a true tour de force of emotion and daily life in 2020.
Speaking of the music video, “What They’ll Say About Us” is a rather simple music video on its surface. Behind all of the changing lights, confetti, and rain [all of which besides the lights, admittedly, seemed rather out of place] is director Sam Bennett. Who, instead of loading down the music video with all of the pomp and circumstance found in modern music videos – think private jets, exquisite landscapes, and obscene amounts of material things – keeps the video masterfully simple. Frequently, directors and artists view the music video as an extension of the song, an adding on, another facet of the story. In turn, the music video can become loaded with visual eye candy. However, it takes a true genius to recognize when to step back and let the message speak for itself and Sam Bennett is just that, a genius.
As the music video for “What They’ll Say About Us” subverts this desire for visual spectacle by simply delivering us with FINNEAS; emotive, passionate, and hopeful as he delivers the message at the core of this composition. A message with the subtle power to move people to tears. As countless fans of FINNEAS have taken to social media to display their support for the latest single. With several people commenting that the latest single and music video is one of FINNEAS’s greatest works. Ultimately showing that sometimes, you don’t need a flashy music video or over-the-top lyrics to create a song that resonates with an entire generation.
