Hello! Starting today, I’m going to try to chat about my favorite song of the week each Tuesday. This should lean towards brand new songs released in the past week, but I may reach further back if there’s a slow release week.
This week, it’s Lil Nas X with his brand new single, “Sun Goes Down.” Famous for his addictive hip hop/country crossover, “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X has been dropping a string of new singles leading up to his debut album. While the vibes have certainly been varied, things seem to be headed in a glossier, decidedly pop direction for this artist.
“Sun Goes Down” is one of Lil Nas X’s most sentimental and emotional tracks. In it, he recalls past feelings of inadequacy over his sexuality and body image, things that drove him to suicidal thoughts (“Don’t wanna lie, I don’t want a life, send me a gun and I’ll see the sun”). The whole thing is wrapped up in this nostalgic package, with Lil Nas X recognizing that things have worked out for him and that he now feels happy and loved by his fans.
The production on “Sun Goes Down” is mostly impeccable. It’s a typically clean pop sound, but it also has a lot of character, thanks to the dreamy guitar tone and clicky drum beat. The vocals are the only thing that seem a little too cleanly performed, to the point where the verses can sound mechanical. That said, the lyrical content and soaring chorus are enough to make up for it.
If I still went out and about, I just know that “Sun Goes Down” is the type of song I’d be hearing everywhere I go. It’s just so damn catchy, and it’s a really promising sign for Lil Nas X’s upcoming record.
Amped! 