Among the singles that we may have overlooked in recent months, but that we now recover, is ‘Heart Has to Work So Hard’ by Blondshell, the first preview of their next album, ‘Violins’ (the homonymous song was recently published). The New Yorker once again moves between grunge and alternative rock with a particularly direct song.
Over forceful drums and grunge guitars, Blondshell builds an almost monotone melody and a deliberately apathetic chorus, conveying a feeling of emotional exhaustion and of being trapped in a repeating dynamic. This containment makes the song gain strength little by little until it leads to a guitar solo and a bridge with an almost euphoric melody.
“My heart has to work so hard when you’re around,” he repeats, while “You make this feel like labor” pretty much sums up the wear and tear that the song goes through.
Blondshell has explained that it talks about friendship and betrayal, about getting trapped in a dynamic and letting things fester. Also about the confusion and pain of a friendship between two women, but of a love so lasting that it ends up leaving room for compassion.
