REVIEW: “Casual” Finds Alaina May Trapped Between Following Her Heart and Keeping a Relationship Alive
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY SULLIVAN JORDAN ☆
INDIE-POP SINGER-SONGWRITER ALAINA MAY—delivers an ethereal and dynamic track about the emotional struggles of modern relationships. “Casual” finds May floating between wanting a relationship to be deeper, but continuing to settle for more casual intimacy for the sake of keeping the connection alive: “My head is burning up, burning up/When you’re off me/Oh I want your touch, want your touch/On my body/I can’t stand to keep it/Casual.”
Through dreamy and grounded vocals, May builds a layered sonic palette that features soothing synth tracks and airy production. The contrast between the build-up of rustic drums and guitar set against the expansive production style and May’s delicate timbre creates an intimate, familiar and sultry atmosphere. A pattering drum beat kicks off the relaxing track, as May’s whimsical vocals expand alongside the building instrumentals.
Listeners are encouraged to ruminate on their own romantic connections as May chases a deeper connection by trying to push a casual relationship into a serious one. The bridge finds May acknowledging and accepting the fact that she has caught feelings: “When my t-shirt smells like your perfume/How am I supposed to wash you off my hands/When your clothes are covering my floor/How could I keep myself from going mad/When the ceiling is my point of view/How the hell could I stop wanting you so bad?” Personal, yet relatable all at once, “Casual” showcases the emotional effects of today’s romantic complexities.
Modern technology and dating apps have added new and unexplored layers to how people interact with each other and how people approach romantic relationships. May not only uses her songwriting to explore her identity as a queer woman, but to reflect on today’s complex romantic landscape.
