A collection of stories about nostalgia and heartbreak

After splitting with TEEN, the band that she and her sisters spent nine years and four albums on, Lizzie Loveless has just released her solo debut, You Don’t Know. Loveless is taking the chance to find her own distinct sound with this record—while TEEN explored a wide range of genres, she chose to stick within the realm of indie-pop for these ten tracks, all while telling her own story of nostalgia and heartbreak.

The album begins with “You Don’t Know,” where Loveless sings about the end of a relationship. She discusses confidently walking away, knowing with absolute certainty that the relationship in question is not the right fit. The lyrics are assured, emphasized by her unwavering voice. She sings optimistically about her future and nostalgically about her past, perfectly encapsulating the lyrical concerns that permeate the album.

“Memory” continues the theme of nostalgia with a simple rhythm guitar and synth melody and more lyrics about memories and ending a relationship—although this time, Loveless focuses on all the pain involved. The emotion is conveyed through her mournful voice and the track’s wailing synthesizer solo. “Loveless” switches up the album’s sound with an ’80s pop aesthetic and takes on a new subject matter, specifically the pain of an unrequited crush. 

“New York, Yesterday,” brings the album back to its central theme of nostalgia. Loveless sings about an ex that she hopes to see, despite the resentment and frustration that she feels towards them. The guitar in the background is haunting, but it still gives her the space to let her storytelling lyrics shine. The instrumental keeps building up toward the song’s end as her emotions accumulate and become more intense. Altogether, this track is sure to strike the listener’s heart. 

“Underneath,” the album’s ninth track, is a pain-filled collection of thoughts and emotions on a past relationship that never got a chance to flourish. Full of regret and pain, her voice seizes the spotlight, while her harmonies allow the melody and lyrics to really shine through. The accompaniment is once again simple, with just some percussion and a synth to complement her as she tells her story.

Overall, You Don’t Know is laced with nostalgia and serves as an admirable homage to her past. With her storytelling lyrics and endlessly emotional voice, Loveless strikes a distinctive balance between self-assured and vulnerable, all while exploring and channeling the pain she’s felt throughout her life.