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  • Madeline Gifargus

The Relatability of Dean Lewis' "The Hardest Love"


Dean Lewis’ recent album “The Hardest Love” resonates with me, and I bet it resonates with you too. The album is about heartbreak; heartbreak from losing someone you love in the physical world, and mourning someone who isn’t in your life anymore. Dean expressed that the album's title stems from his dear friend Claileah's passing, his father’s experience with cancer and remission, and a girl that Dean thought he’d end up with. Dean explained, “You write songs for you, and they have to be for you. They’re about what I like and what I'm going through. It’s selfish in a way. I write for myself to allow other people to connect through my lyrics. Losing someone you love is the hardest thing you can go through.” Songwriting is a way to express how you’re feeling by sharing your story and touching the hearts of others.

He verbalized that this would be the last time he would go into love so blindly and ignore the red flags, as well as be naive about how powerful love is. Love can make you feel like you’re on cloud 9 one day, and it can bring you back down to earth the next. It’s all about how you approach and interpret the love you give and receive. Dean’s latest album captures how it’s easy to be naive when falling in love and caring about someone close to you.

My favorite songs on the album are “Small Disasters,” “Looks Like Me,” and “Into the Breeze.” These songs have been hitting pretty close to home lately, and they might resonate with those who have been heartbroken when they fell into love a little too naively.

"Small Disasters" is a powerful and introspective song that speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and loss. The song reflects on the aftermath of a relationship that has ended. Lewis sings about the small disasters that occur in everyday life, such as missing a train or losing a set of keys, but he compares these small misfortunes to the larger disaster of losing the person he loves. Dean's vocals and poignant lyrics make for a truly moving listening experience that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to move on from a difficult relationship. The lyrics capture the emotional turmoil that Dean is experiencing as he tries to move on from his lost love.

During “Looks Like Me,” Dean creates a safe place for people who don’t exactly know who they are and what they’re meant to be by exploring the themes of identity and self-discovery. In the lyrics, Dean reflects on his life journey and how he has changed over time. He talks about how he has struggled to find his place in the world and how he sometimes feels like an outsider. The chorus captures the essence of the song's message of the importance of self-acceptance. Dean acknowledges that it can be difficult to navigate life's challenges and feel comfortable in one's own skin, but he ultimately expresses hope that he will one day find a sense of peace and contentment. Overall, "Looks Like Me" is a heartfelt and introspective song that speaks to the universal experience of searching for meaning and purpose in life.

“Into the Breeze” captures the struggles and challenges we face in life and how we must continue moving forward, even when things get tough. The title is a metaphor for facing challenges head-on, like standing in the face of a strong wind. In the song, Dean sings about how he is facing a difficult situation and knows that the road ahead will be tough, but he is determined to push through and keep moving forward. The song's lyrics convey a sense of hope and resilience, as Dean encourages the listener to keep moving forward, even when they feel like giving up. It’s an uplifting song that reminds us to keep pushing through difficult times, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against us.

Dean will be on his The Future is Bright Tour starting April 3, 2023. Make sure to stream his new album, "The Hardest Love".


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