For a while, Conan Gray was a name I’d seen a lot online, but I’d never listened to any of his songs until I discovered the song, “Heather”, from his 2020 debut studio album, Kid Krow. I still haven’t listened to that album, but I like the song, “Heather”, even though I get why some might not like the lyrics of that song.

Now, Conan Gray has released his second studio album, Superache, and … well, this review might be a bit difficult, not because my opinion on the album is all that complicated, but because I just recently started this website, and negative reviews are difficult for me, because to anyone reading my reviews for the first time, it may appear that I’m trying to tell the artist what to do, when really, I’m just sharing my own perspective on the album. So, yes, this will be a negative review, but I will start by saying that I totally understand that there’s an audience for this type of music, and I understand the appeal of this album to some extent. And, of course, even if I don’t understand the appeal of an album at all, that doesn’t mean that everyone has to agree with me on the album.

But anyway, yes, I get the appeal of this album to some extent. The album seems to be very much about failed relationships, and wanting to be in a relationship. For example, on the song, “People Watching”, which is the one song on this album that I truly love. On this track, Conan sings about another couple, wishing he could be in a relationship with somebody, and he describes himself as ‘people watching’. I also love that chorus, and Conan’s vocals on this track are fantastic!

But then there’s a song like “Disaster”, which, I’ll at least say, has a very self-aware title (sorry, I had to lol). Conan Gray sings on this track about a potential relationship, and goes as far as to say, ‘You know, Ashley believes that there’s something between you and I, but if I’m readin’ it wrong, then it’d be better off if I died.’ And yes, I know he’s not being serious when he sings that line (at least I certainly hope he’s not being serious), but it still makes the song even worse in my opinion.

Even if it weren’t for that line I just mentioned, I still wouldn’t like “Disaster”. The percussion feels really awkward on the chorus, the synths don’t fit in my opinion, and the sudden stops toward the end don’t work for me, either.

The closing track, “The Exit”, has something in it that is a big pet peeve of mine in music, which I mentioned in my review of I Used To Think I Could Fly by Tate McRae to describe the chorus of the song, “what would you do?”, from that album. I referred to it as ‘bouncy production’, and it shows up on the chorus of “The Exit” and it’s really annoying in my opinion. I do like some of the buildup toward the end of the song, but that hook really doesn’t work for me, and I’m not really a fan of the verses, either.

“Astronomy” is one of the best songs on the album in my opinion. I love the production and mixing on this track, with the volumes of the instruments feeling really well balanced, and I love those acoustic guitars. I also like the chorus of this song. While I don’t think this song is amazing or anything, I do think it’s good.

One more song I want to mention, though, is my least favourite song on the album, “Best Friend” … what is it with 2022 ‘best friend’ songs I personally find to be really terrible? First, The Weeknd’s song, “Best Friends”, which might be my least favourite song that I know by The Weeknd, and now “Best Friend” by Conan Gray … and, to me, this is even worse. I’ll even go as far as to say this is one of my least favourite songs of 2022 so far. I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to describe this song or what I should say about it. And I know that as a music critic, I want to describe why I feel the way I do about a song/album/etc, but with this one, I don’t even know what to say … I mean, the hook is terrible in my opinion, I’ll say that much. If you’re curious to listen to it, go ahead.

Overall, I didn’t like this album, and I’m giving it a 3/10, but, as always, it’s just my own personal opinion. Feel free to comment what you thought of this album and/or what you thought of my review.

Also, if there are any albums that you want me to review, let me know. It doesn’t have to be a new album. No guarantee that I review it, but feel free to make a recommendation.

I got a comment on a previous review recommending that I listen to a Johnny Reid album, which I haven’t done yet, but once I do, I might review one of his albums, but no guarantees.

There are quite a few new albums I’m planning to review soon, so if you make a recommendation and I choose to review it (which I may or may not choose to do), it might have to wait a bit.

Anyway, thanks for reading my review! And while I’m not going to guarantee anything, I plan to have more reviews out very soon!

Final Thoughts
Rating: 3/10
Favourite Tracks: “People Watching”, “Astronomy”, “Memories”
Least Favourite Tracks: “Disaster”, “Best Friend”, “Yours”, “Jigsaw”, “Summer Child”, “Footnote”, “The Exit”