April Fool’s was pretty much cancelled, but Lil Nas X still decided to prank everyone. He claimed in a tweet that coming out last year was really a ploy for April Fool’s. Until like five mins later when he came back to the dark rainbow side, and was welcomed by fellow gay, Troye Sivan. This is classic Lil Nas X – he’s a master of meme-ing, and he knows how to create a conversation about himself. He needs to watch out though. Now he only has two more strikes until the Committee revokes his Gay Card, and the appeal process is a NIGHTMARE.

 

You know who is giving the gays what they want? Troye Sivan. His Gay Card isn’t at risk. Troye released a new song yesterday called “Take Yourself Home”. It’s aptly named because that’s what I constantly feel like shouting at people who break quarantine rules right now. But “Take Yourself Home” is actually about something much deeper and more personal.

Troye says, “The song is kind of a pep talk with yourself and the place you’re from. Grappling with your place in the world. I write these songs as a diary entry, then as life and places change and relationships change, songs can take on a new meaning entirely. Clearly that has happened for this song, with what is going on in the world right now.”

Prior to the song’s release, Troye sent out a call to freelance artists and collaborated with them on the promo and lyric videos, as well as t-shirt designs. All proceeds of the merch sales will go to both the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and Spotify’s COVID-19 Music Relief project. 

I have mixed feelings about the music though. I like Troye’s voice, and I really like the production of the track. Paper Magazine called it gloom-pop because while it has a very chill vibe and a dance break at the end, it’s also melancholic and understated.

Not feeling the lyrics though. Maybe I’m just cynical, but the chorus “I’m tired of the city, scream if you’re with me/If I’m gonna die, let’s die somewhere pretty” doesn’t really resonate with me, despite as Troye said, “what is going on in the world right now.” In a Tweet, Troye explains that the song came from a place of being honest with himself about his happiness and his life. Maybe the message of the song is too personalized: more diary entry than relatable anthem.

Troye first announced that he was releasing music a few weeks ago via Twitter.

He then provided several more updates, including an Instagram Post calling for freelance artists to join him in the project.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by troye sivan (@troyesivan) on

I’m curious about this line:

“WE’RE GOING ROGUE @capitolrecords @emimusicau I WOULD LIKE TO RELEASE NEW MUSIC I JUST DECIDED.”

What does it really mean to go “rogue”? The caption is a little unclear because depending on how you read it, it can sound like he’s including his labels in the announcement or that he’s publicly disobeying them. Capitol Records and Universal Music are still credited as the labels on the track, so it obviously wasn’t a complete departure from the usual process. But what kind of conversation happened? Was there actually a struggle?

Troye allegedly made the decision to share his new music during an Instagram Live. I have a hard time believing that labels would let their artists “leak” music on a whim, especially in such a public way. The labels must have been in on it right? Sure, it’s unorthodox to release something early or that was meant for a larger album, but Troye’s song still followed the standard procedures. Maybe this was more of a stunt to generate buzz for the song and for Troye. It apparently worked because, “Take Yourself Home” was trending number one Worldwide.

If this is a publicity stunt, it’s a good one. It was convincing and fun. But, when you build the hype, you also create expectation. Does “Take Yourself Home” meet that expectation? Is this your weekend jam? What are weekends anymore?!