January 21, 2021
Written By Eric Foreman

IN THE MOURNING RELEASE THEIR KICK ASS NEW SINGLE "IF HE WANTED TO, HE WOULD"

PHOTO BY YISING KAO

LA based pop rock band In the Mourning kick off 2022 with the release of their new single “if he wanted to. he would”. Written by vocalist Amanda Tran, the track reckons with hard truths and self-advocacy while maintaining a melodic, likable center.

It has been almost 20 years since Avril Lavigne’s iconic debut album Let Go was released. Her alternative leaning pop rock struck a chord instantly for the catchy melodies, relatable lyrics and expert songwriting. As the mall-shopping, Hot Topic wearing youth of the 2000’s have grown into adulthood, it is fitting that almost two decades later, the DNA of Lavigne’s sound and aesthetic find new life in the current pop-rock/pop-punk scene. In the Mourning’s descendance of this style is made clear by their ability to capture timeless woes of intra and interpersonal relationships and combine them into catchy, shout-along tunes (they even released an acoustic cover of “Complicated” on the deluxe version of their “At What Cost” single last year). Their first new release of 2022 is no different. “if he wanted to. he would” is a bouncy at times, lyrically honest track that is a joy to listen to.

The verses of the song see the narrator coming to terms with the dissonance of a relationship in where you are overextended but do not want it to end (“sometimes I hang on a little too long/give you way too much slack” “But when you come around/I can’t help but need it”). An overt strength of the song is Amanda Tran’s voice. The production, courtesy of Velvet Year, is clean with vocals sitting right on top of the instrumentals – allowing her range and control to shine. Both verses contain constrained runs with smooth backing vocals as they build into the chorus allowing her belt out the song's climax

In the chorus she sings “the truth is cruel, but I’ll go in just to feel something”, not angry but honest. Instead of driving rage, the chorus is fit more for a two step – the celebratory nature feels self-empowering instead of bitter and resentful. This is continued with the guitar solo after the second verse making the song feel light and fun despite the potentially heavy subject matter.

With their new track, In the Mourning contribute a new take on the sound that Lavigne, and related artists, championed into the mainstream almost two decades ago along with timeless lyrical content. The song acknowledges that while relationships may always be complicated, it is always important to be honest with oneself and to find the joy in your self-discovery.

CATCH IN THE MOURNING LIVE AT THE SMELL!