Review
Ethel Cain returns with "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," serving up a gorgeous prequel that dives into her protagonist's teenage romance and formative years. This 2025 release weaves together ambient pop textures with country undertones, creating something that feels both dreamy and grounded. The storytelling here is incredibly intimate, focusing on those tender, vulnerable moments that shape who we become. It's fascinating how she's expanded her universe backward in time, giving us deeper insight into the character we met in "Preacher's Daughter."
The musical approach feels softer this time around, though no less impactful. Those haze-filled instrumentals create this beautiful cocoon around her vocals, while tracks like "A Knock at the Door," "Janie," and "Nettles" showcase her ability to balance ethereal atmospherics with raw emotional weight. The ambient sections never feel indulgent or overwhelming – instead, they breathe life into the narrative, giving listeners space to absorb the story she's telling. There's something almost cinematic about how these songs unfold, each one adding another layer to this compelling character study.
What really strikes me is how Cain manages to make this feel both epic and incredibly personal at the same time. The themes of love, identity, and those awkward, beautiful moments of growing up resonate in ways that feel universal without losing their specificity. Her upcoming tour promises to bring these songs to life in new ways, and honestly, experiencing this work in a live setting sounds pretty magical. This album confirms that Ethel Cain has carved out her own distinct corner of the music world, one where storytelling and atmosphere dance together beautifully. - Ashleigh
Artist Bio
Ethel Cain is the stage name of Hayden Silas Anhedönia, a transgender singer-songwriter from Florida who began releasing music under this moniker in 2019. Her sound blends ambient, indie rock, and contemporary folk with Southern Gothic and nostalgic themes, drawing comparisons to artists working in similar atmospheric territories. She gained widespread recognition with her critically acclaimed debut album Preacher’s Daughter in 2022, which many critics called one of the year’s best albums and helped her develop a dedicated cult following. Born and raised in a Southern Baptist family in Perry, Florida, her music often explores themes of American Gothic, religious upbringing, and Southern culture, with her background as a former church choir member influencing her artistic direction. Her upcoming second album Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You is set for release in August 2025.
