In Her Own Words - Left in the Dark
In Her Own Words have returned with their new EP Left In the Dark. The EP explores the topics of toxic relationships, holding onto the past, and finding the courage to move forward.
Beg For More
The EP opens with Beg for More, which dives into the struggles of navigating a toxic relationship and how easy it is to become addicted to this type of relationship. The protagonist of the lyrics expresses the suffocation they are feeling from the relationship, but their partner is unable to see their suffering. Using the repetition of “Even when it’s killing me I beg for more, more, more,” emphasizes the protagonist’s captivation by the relationship, and the struggle to break free. The band cuts the heavy lyrics with an infectious and up-beat melody throughout the song. Listening to the song for the first time, it was easy to forget the heaviness behind the lyrics because of the music.
Practice Makes Perfect
The lyrics of Practice Makes Perfect reflects the story of struggling to let go of relationships. The protagonist is self-aware their current relationship is unhealthy but is unwilling to move on from them. The lines “And talking to my friends, But I bet I’m gonna tune ‘em out in the end,” resonates with listeners because we have all asked advice from our friends and ignored their words. The chorus expresses the idea of wanting change, but the protagonist is self-aware change will never come. The repetitive imagery of “holding the knife / But can’t cut you clean,” reflects the struggle the protagonist is facing to sever ties.
Story Of Us
The Story of Us reflects on the confusion and exhaustion from being caught in a never-ending cycle breaking up and getting back together with a significant other. Lyrics such as “Say you’re leaving then you come back home / Counting down the minutes ‘til you call my phone,” highlight the desire to end the relationship but neither want to fully commit to walking away.
I Think It’s Time
The EP has taken listeners through the ups and downs of a relationship and the struggles the protagonist has faced trying to leave. I Think It’s Time reflects on finding the courage to leave the relationship and the struggles of realizing they failed to be the one their partner needed. The opening verse has the lyrics taking the stage, which allows the listener to hear the rawness behind the lyrics rather than being focused on the tempo. The music gradually picks up through the song’s progression to the familiar up-beat tempo we have heard throughout the EP.
96 Hours
96 Hours follows the aftermath of a breakup and the emotional state of the protagonist coping post breakup. The lyrics express the disbelief and heartache of moving forward in life without the person they imagined marrying. “I spent all the money I saved for that ring,” is a powerful lyric that shows the protagonist moving on with his life. 96 Hours begins with a slow melody, which represents the early stages of a breakup. By the end of the song, were back to a fast-paced melodies to represent the journey towards a new chapter.
You
You captures the feeling of someone trying to move, but is constantly haunted by memories of a past relationship they can’t let go of. The song’s fast tempo is a classic throwback to the early 2000’s pop-punk era. The lyrics suggest the protagonist is struggling to move on despite leaving an unhappy relationship. The lyrics “Those summer nights they felt so easy / Drinkin’ tequila for no reason,” reveal how the protagonist felt carefree in their relationship. The lyrics “I miss all the fights, at least a goodbye would seal the memories up,” leaves the listeners believing the protagonist has lingering feelings and the relationship may have not ended under their terms.
House Party
House Party is the party anthem of the EP with it’s catchy pop-punk melody and laid-back lyrics. While the lyrics are laid-back, the song takes an unexpected turn of betrayal at the end. Lyrics like “I’d rather get high / Chillin’ in your sweatpants that’s when you’re the prettiest,” captures the love the protagonist has and how comfortable they are with their partner. After our protagonist discovers his partner is cheating, we reveal a dramatic “fuck it” moment. The lyrics reveal how quick we can go from adoring someone to wanting nothing to do with them.
In Her Own Words absolutely delivered with this EP. The run time is only 20 minutes, but we are taken on a rollercoaster in the short time. If you have 20 minutes to spare, give the EP a listen because you will not be disappointed.