Best known for “comethru,” a song about feeling alone and wanting a person to help, Jeremy Zucker combines indie, electric and pop to produce music for teens and millennials. Some other popular songs by Zucker include “all the kids are depressed,” which addresses depression and people who suffer from it, and “you were good to me,” which describes a painful break-up filled with loss and longing. His music focuses on love and mental health, resonating deeply with his young audience.
Zucker’s new album “love is not dying” was released on Apr. 17 and received mostly positive reviews, especially for his lyrics. The album opens with “still,” a peaceful track spanning only 40 seconds. It’s filled with instrumentals and muffled talking, setting the calm and almost melancholy tone of the album.
The second song “we’re f-cked it’s fine” is about living in the moment, even if it’s reckless. The theme of accepting the present runs throughout the rest of the album as well, and the lyrical aspect of his songs match the softness of his voice.
The third track is “somebody loves you,” is a song about talking to someone online and falling in love. The energetic background music doesn’t fit the gentle lyrics of the song, overwhelming the words, as the beat is too loud and sharp, cutting through the singing and making the listening experience choppy and harsh.
The song “orchid” follows and revolves around an ex-lover’s beauty and longing for what the two could have shared. The soft piano in the background brings out the softness and vulnerability of Zucker’s voice, expertly expressing the helplessness he feels. He sings, “’Cause we could’ve had it/Don’t you wish we did?” to highlight his sorrow over what could have been. In contrast to the previous track, “orchid” flows smoothly and is pleasant to the ear.
“lakehouse” is about clinging onto a dysfunctional relationship, and the electronic genre really stands out. However, the pre-chorus builds anticipation that ultimately leads to a dull chorus, consisting of seven lines of “I won’t go, baby” and “won’t go, baby,” repeated in the same dull tone. The sound effects in the song bring some interest and liven up the dullness, but the song is still disappointing overall.
“good for her” is a short track about an ex-girlfriend moving on with someone else. It matches the flow of the album, emanating weariness.
“not ur friend” revolves around cutting out toxic relationships. The lyrics are flippant and straightforward: “Honest, if I’m coming to your place/It’s to say it to your face/I’ve decided that I’m not your f-cking friend.” The music has a tone of finality and is almost celebratory about being able to cut contact with toxic people. Together, the lyrics and music combine powerfully to stand out from the subdued and melancholy tunes of the rest of the album.
“full stop” is an especially immersive song and has a trance-like quality. The music starts slow but speeds up at the end, and the intensity of Zucker’s vocals escalate, but the lyrics become difficult to hear.
“julia” is about an ex-lover and Zucker’s relationship with them. The chorus is catchy and one of the most memorable parts of the album. The deeper voice contrasts with the rest of the song, which helps it shine through the rest of the lyrics. Like the rest of the songs, “julia” doesn’t evoke powerful emotions, but is still fun to listen to and sing along with, especially the “Julia, I’m through with ya” portions.
“hell or flying” is a stripped-back and incredibly heartfelt song about asking someone to keep a promise. The music is the simplest here, highlighting Zucker’s lyrical genius. The piano and his voice never clash, allowing both aspects to shine through.
“always, i’ll care” is about caring for someone no matter how much time passes or how far apart they are. The music is whimsical and charming, but has sadder undertones that match Zucker’s singing. “Flipping through our photographs/Those moments never seem to last,” he sings, expressing his loss and longing for what once was.
“brooks” is a short piece that follows a solid line of thinking, like a short journal entry. He sings, “I fell on your shoulder, now I’m gettin’ thinner/I swear I feel older, these days, I’m not feelin’ myself.” Instead of the gentle voice he uses in other songs, here he sounds numb and exhausted, seemingly following a train of thought at his lowest.
“oh, mexico” is the last track of the album, carrying a dream-like quality. The song is about leaving and changing for the better, like a relaxing getaway. Zucker’s voice blends seamlessly with the music, immersing the listener in a peaceful but poignant wonderland.
Zucker’s album makes his soft, calming voice shine, opting for heavier focus on vocals rather than on special effects. The album is relaxing and fairly mellow as Zucker clearly expresses his emotions through his lyrics. Some songs don’t evoke emotions as strong as others, perhaps because the backing tracks don’t always match the works and tone perfectly. A few also become repetitive and are less captivating, but they all flow together nicely as an album. The lyrics of the album reflect Zucker’s self-growth and acceptance, feelings that listeners can connect with. While a couple of songs missed the mark, I would give the album four stars out of five for Zucker’s melodic voice and beautiful lyrics.
