Adam KennyEthel Cain so far
It wasn’t that long ago since we had last heard from American singer-songwriter Ethel Cain (who’s real name is Hayden Silas Anhedönia). Back in January of this year Hayden released an EP called Perverts which was a sharp turn from her previous work on Preacher’s Daughter. Perverts was an ambient drone EP that spanned 89 minutes. It barely had any similarities with any of Hayden’s recent work. Preacher’s Daughter melodic, dark Americana. Songs like “American Teenager ” would stay in your head all day and night. It’s personally, one of my favourite records of the past 3 or 4 years. Perverts was an incredible display of versatility and endurance.
Hayden’s work is a celebration of southern gothic themes. Her Instagram is full of this aesthetic as is her album covers. On the 24th of March of this year, Hayden announced her sophomore album willoughby tucker, i’ll always love you which is a prequel to the story and concept of Preacher’s Daughter. Shortly again, on the 28th of May, “Nettles“, a single from the upcoming album was also announced which originally debuted on her Tumblr and Soundcloud accounts all the way back in 2021. Now, we have been graved with an official release of the track and here’s what we think.
Nettles, does it leave you stung?
For anyone who didn’t enjoy Perverts and was looking for more familiar territory, Nettles is for you. It’s an eight-minute track that returns to the familiar formula and sonic aesthetic we’ve come to expect from Hayden—somber strings with a country or Southern tinge, and of course, those gorgeous vocals. It was a joy to hear Hayden’s voice again on this track, especially in contrast to Perverts. That album was such a brutal and cryptic musical journey that it’s made me appreciate Hayden’s vocal melodies even more.
Hayden on Nettles is a different story. Her vocals and lyrics are in complete alignment, reinforcing one another. Ethel Cain is a character explored in Preacher’s Daughter, and conceptually, it’s presumed that Willoughby Tucker is her lover—someone to whom she’s anxiously attached. That anxiety runs through the track, laid bare in a raw and unflinching way.
The song goes through the grief and the nostalgia of their moments together. From Ethel imagining Willoughby being taken away from her, to laying together in the greenery where they are strung for their sins. Surrounded by flowers and nettles. The nettles acting as a metaphor for what happens to people when they try to be close with Ethel. Her actions and reactions that stem from a fear she doesn’t fully understand resulting in the hurt of other people around her. Such as Willoughby. A depressing cycle to say the least.
Common themes within Nettles
A common theme in Hayden’s music is the scars of trauma and the long lasting effects they can leave. Bleeding into relationships which can distort someone’s thought. Although the story of Ethel is fictional, Hayden’s experiences are not. It’s quite obvious that Ethel’s story and Hayden’s are intertwined. The isolation and exclusion that Ethel suffers from in Hayden’s music can be seen as Hayden’s experience of being transgender whilst being raised in a Southern Baptist family. Hayden spoke about this in a W Magazine interview where she said “We were a house divided. It was me vs my whole town”.
Preacher’s Daughter’s entire concept centres around trans-generational trauma and the difficulties of growing up in the church. Especially as a deacon’s transgender daughter. Since Willoughby Tucker, i’ll always love you is a prequel to Preacher’s Daughter it’s more than expected to see the same themes showing up here, maybe in a much more immature state but still present.
Nettles has a lot to say
“Nettles” lyrically is dense, which allows for Hayden’s vocals to lend a vulnerability to the story, as well as the experience. Even though Ethel Cain is a character, Hayden is Ethel Cain. The story of Willoughby & Ethel may not be necessarily a real story that has happened in Hayden’s life. However, it’s a necessary conduit for these feelings of being an outsider. Hayden’s celebration of southern gothic themes and religion is ironic at times but also genuine. The difficulty of detaching yourself from the ways you were raised is no easy feat. Her music is a representation of her relationship with religion, and Nettles is no different to that.
Overall
For a song that lasts 8 minutes, it’s wonderfully paced. The melodies and instrumentals create this addicting bittersweet tune that you relish in. You can feel the sun shining on you as you listen, but the discomfort from the stinging nettles is just as present. It’s a fantastic track that has made me incredibly excited for the album.
