‘yeah, cool’ is the latest offering from experimental pop artist su, i think, and the first single from their debut project ‘Real Love’, providing a refreshing little bop conveying relatable yet contrasting themes of lost love and positivity. According to su, i Think (formally known as ‘Susan’ in past musical projects), this song is about ‘welcoming the break, appreciating the memories and still seeing the light’ and ‘looking back with the most love, respect and kindness’.
Opening with dramatic drums, the cool, crisp vocals promptly cut in with artistic metaphors describing a relationship that was once rosy; full of excitement and love that has now faded. The first line – ‘We shot our love in colour film, but the dyes are now expired’ evokes the melancholic feelings that come with realising that a relationship has run its course, yet ‘I’m grateful I got to hold you close, you leave my heart re-wired’ immediately shines positivity on the situation despite things coming to an end.
Lyrically, ‘yeah, cool’ allows the listener to reflect on what once was, with angelic vocals delivering lines such as ‘I knew that you were true’ and ‘promise me you’d do your best’, suggesting that there is no bitterness and they are instead choosing to be grateful for the experience and the memories, along with what they may have learnt. This refreshing idea sets the tone for the entire song that encapsulates the whirlwind of different emotions that are present during a break-up but celebrates the fact they can still look back with fondness, instead of dwelling entirely on what may have been lost.
Following these laid-back verses, we’re treated to an upbeat earworm of a chorus that’s guaranteed to get you singing along after the first listen. With a sound that’s truly uplifting on the surface, the lyrics hold a sense of urgency and yearning with ‘I just wanna slow dance one last time’ making this song not only relatable to those who are happily reminiscing, but to those who are struggling with missing someone. ‘I just wanna hold hands til morning light’ reinforces this deeper meaning of wanting to reignite lost love one last time to relive those feelings they once felt.
The easy-breezy ideas of just going with the flow and keeping things ‘cool’ goes hand-in-hand with the track’s overall chilled-out and delicate sound. With some beautiful, Spanish inspired guitar flicks and castanets gliding across the pre-chorus, this emulates those feelings of butterflies, and the anxiety that comes with the realisation you’re not going to feel those feelings with that person again. The titular line reflects the casualness and flippancy of perhaps not wanting to admit just how much you miss that person, embarrassed to ask for them back with ‘would that be okay, yeah, cool, I miss your smile’, relaying a fun and casual need to feel all the feels one last time.
‘yeah, cool’ is a very personal yet gorgeous song about being in love and celebrating that love, but it could also be sad song full of longing and sadness depending on how to choose to listen. Overall, su i think describes it as a song ‘for the divas who love a happy ending to a sad situation’, and the track’s versatility both musically and lyrically proves just how complex and unpredictable love can be – but if one thing’s for sure after listening – you’re gonna LOVE su i think, and we can’t wait to hear more!