By Michaela Maxey

Can I just begin to say that this song obliterated all my expectations of what I expected it to be. What I thought would be your classic breakup song with slow instruments and a soft voice turned out very differently.  

Instead, I was met with sharp drums, quick beats, and synthesizers giving me the impression that a mission was about to begin. And let me tell you, this mission was not going to be easy.

The song opens with Van Etten’s voice telling the story of the return of her ex as “Too much has changed, I can’t let you walk in in the night/ I wish away my love, leave with the dawn”. The lyrics just seem so sad, but the beat is so upbeat that I’m conflicted with my emotions in the beginning. Do I mourn this permanent loss of the ex or am I going through a totally empowering final goodbye. Either way, it seems that this song is the narrative of Van Etten’s past relationship.

For ten years, Van Etten was in an on-again-off-again relationship that found its place on her albums Are We There and Tramp, so it is no surprise that her ex turns up in this album despite their breakup. Since Are We There, Van Etten has gone back to school for psychology, dabbled in acting, and had a baby. It is obvious that her life has been nothing short of hectic, making Remind Me Tomorrow the perfect name for this album.

As Van Etten sings “Don’t look back my dear, just say you tried”, I can’t help but put my fist in the air to cheer on Van Etten’s resolve to not take back her ex and remind us all that love in itself is messy and complicated.