In “Come Undone” the American indie-pop duo, Holding Hour, have produced a wonderful melodic shoegaze song that bears elements of dreampop, most notably observed through the soft vocals in the song against warm, softly overdriven guitar lines.

Much of the magic of this song comes from its atmosphere and character: its fuzzy warmth soothes the listener and demonstrates how tasteful alternative elements can create a melodic shoegaze song that would likely be enjoyed by most listeners and, as such, this would work well as a introductory song to show your friend, if you’re already a fan of shoegaze and are looking for a way to introduce them to the style of the genre.

In a similar way, this song seems to work well as a soundtrack for winter (though it was released in May this year), as its gently-reassuring style offers some tranquillity as well as introspection: its subtlety means that the song can pleasantly add some melodic comfort without being obtrusive in the way that a metal song may demand the listener’s full attention and, as such, this song deftly utilises a different sonic approach to create its own character.

The duo state that: “Throughout the song, the artist grapples with the desire to mold themselves to fit someone else’s expectations, to become the “one” that their partner desires. However, there’s an underlying fear of losing oneself in the process, of coming undone in the pursuit of love. This internal conflict is palpable in the repetition of the refrain, “Change my shape to fit with you, afraid I would come undone.” The lyrics are poignant and introspective, exploring the complexities of relationships and the fear of vulnerability. Lines like “Say something sweet to me, I wanna hear my name inside your mouth, before you chew and spit it out” convey a sense of yearning for
genuine connection amidst the fear of being hurt.”

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