Kid Kool for "Kid Krow"

Conan Gray’s new album, “Kid Krow,” dropped on March 20, bringing with it Gray’s classic dreamy melodies, introspective lyrics and sense of nostalgia. As his first full album,“Kid Krow” paints a complimenting picture of the full scope of Gray’s musical talent.“Kid Krow” is comprised of 12 tracks ranging from 37 seconds to over four minutes, each with its own unique emotion but flowing together nicely. Memories from Gray’s childhood run as inspiration through the album, with songs like “The Story” and “Heather” serving as a direct lens into the angst of Gray’s youth.This nostalgia for a carefree youth is surprisingly topical, as the current Coronavirus situation makes having normal teenage fun difficult. For example, a song like “Little League,” with lyrics about wild high school adventures, might get people a bit emotional.Perhaps surprisingly, despite the fun, easy energy of some of the songs, Gray talks about his childhood negatively as inspiration for the album. “All of my friends and my fans know I’m a cynical person. I had a dark enough past as a kid, and so in my teen years, I just kind of laugh at the things that go wrong in my life,” said Gray in an interview with Apple Music.Gray brings that laughter into his music by mixing heavy messages with songs that are usually quite upbeat. The album’s first track, “Comfort Crowd,” has lyrics dealing with fear and anxiety, but that can be overlooked in favor of the catchy chorus and danceable beats. Even with the melancholy side of things, “Kid Krow” still has its high energy bops. “Maniac” went viral on Tik Tok before the rest of the album was released, propelling Gray’s debut EP into the spotlight. On the album itself, “Wish You Were Sober,” also has fun party energy, and is the only song yet with an accompanying music video.All of “Kid Krow” deals with heavy subjects— heartbreak, toxic relationships, unrequited love— but ultimately, these topics are balanced out by upbeat backing tracks. Gray reveals his personality and past hurt with bursts of light behind them, and it makes listening to “Kid Krow” both an exciting and profound experience.