Transgender indie rock artist Lenny Zenith’s single ‘One of Us Should Go’ is his latest release since 2020. Credit: Eva Mueller
Ahead of releasing his first album since 2020, comes the single, “One Of Us Should Go.” While the lyrics don’t necessarily give an entire story, the flashes going in and out of captured scenes give much of the mood to the track.
“Whiskey Bottle/ kitchen table/sun comes into view/fickle sleep out on the couch in deference to you/”
By avoiding the presence of an actual catalyst for the imagery presented, Zenith allows the tension-sown lyrics to resonate with listeners. What we get is just the depiction of that itchy moment before breaking the ice and calling it quits with someone close, a moment no one wants to engage with, and the opening to live in those moments within the song, as if we were there.
The instrumentals along the background do much to match up with the lyricism presented. Zenith’s work on the keys, in matching up with the drums, heightens the intensity with each lead up to the chorus, gaining that extra bit of emotion from both the artist and the listeners. Jeff Hermanson (trumpet), James Pertusi (bass & backing vocals), and Andrew Solin (guitar) make up the rest of the cast contributing to the single.
“This song combines various stages of a strained relationship, likely on the brink of collapse,” explains Zenith in in reference to the direction of the track. “I have occasionally had a whiskey bottle on the kitchen table in the morning, and sleepless nights on the couch,” Zenith recalls, reflecting on some of the opening lyrics.
You can watch the video here.
In connecting this track with the rest of the upcoming album, “He/Hymn,” Zenith talks much on how the full body of work stands as an evolution of his songwriting and as an artist. “While I tried to retain my melodic sensibilities, He\Hymn delves into deeper, more mature themes, offering a reflective exploration of human connection, loss, and the search for authenticity. I’ve kind of traded the catchier power-pop hooks for a richer, more complex, sonic experience and more introspective lyrics.”
Lenny Zenith’s third album, He/Hymn, comes out October 29 for streaming as well as purchase on Bandcamp and Spotify.