Conan Grey’s latest single, “Caramel,” peels off a layer of shiny romance and reveals something much less tidy. It was released on August 15th as the eighth track on his fourth studio album. Wishbonethe song captures the restless rhythm of a relationship that refuses to resolve, pairing with a guitar stripped-down burst of brass.
Reunion is not a solution
Produced by Dan Nigro, Republic Records, Girlyboy, Inc. “Caramel” released via Wishbone The standout “This Song” and “Vodka Cranberry” document the intertwining of Gray’s Again, Off-Again, with a recurring figure known as Brando. But if you are tracking your toys with previous hopes or resignations, this lands in an unsettling halfway point.
The arrangement reflects push and pull. The track begins with quick percussion and bright corners, but simply peeling off the guitar to the bare grey vocals. The beat remains in the background, like a memory that cannot be shaken completely. His delivery weighs in hindsight, and each of the past tense lyrics pulls even further from the romantic version of the event.
The story behind the video
Directed by Danica Kleinknecht, the “Caramel” music video enhances the song’s emotional undercurrent without spelling. It starts off with grey alone, leaving the pool, pensive, going home and staring at the windows with a solemn energy, then shifting to a supermarket encounter with the brand.
From there, the mood lightens up. They share caravans, exchange familiar touches, and laugh like they used to. For a while, it feels like a scene from an adult film where reconciliation is inevitable. But as the music swells, the illusion breaks. When I board the bus, Gray’s tears aren’t broken, but the recognition: sparks go away. Reunion is comfortable, not electricity.
Fan reaction
Listeners had some visceral reactions to the music video. On YouTube, one fan cried out, “In fact, we’ll be notifying the therapist about this in the next session.” Another said, “Conan, this is the perfect album (why do you hurt me like this).”
Bitter aftertaste of “Caramel”
in WishboneGray Weaves 90s auto-pop, soft grunge and introspective guitar tackle the nasty chapters of love. “Caramel” stands out not because it offers closure, but because it doesn’t pretend that it’s possible.
If “This Song” hints at the possibility and “Vodka Cranberry” sees it break up, “Caramel” is a quiet ride and you’ll be in front of your eyes, but all the landmarks remind you where you were.
It’s not about sweetness at all. It’s about what remains after the sweetness fades.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
