Ethel Cain’s New Album Songs Ranked: A Guide to Every Track

Warning: this article discusses themes of suicide, sex, and sexual violence.

Exploring Ethel Cain’s Sonic Evolution in Perverts

Hayden Silas Anhedönia, widely recognized as Ethel Cain, has rapidly established herself in the music industry, particularly following the release of her acclaimed 2022 album Preacher’s Daughter. The album, which received rave reviews, intricately weaves a narrative steeped in Southern Gothic inspiration, portraying harrowing themes of familial trauma and sexual violence. Drawing on her own experiences as the child of a deacon, Anhedönia’s diverse genre blending offered listeners a distinctive auditory experience that captivated many critics.

With her latest project, Perverts, Cain appears to be reacting against the stylistic elements of her previous album. This new release comprises nine tracks that stretch just shy of an hour and a half, and notably lacks the shorter, more mainstream-friendly compositions like the widely popular “American Teenager”from Preacher’s Daughter. Instead, Cain delves into experimental soundscapes that challenge typical pop music norms, moving away from comparisons with other LGBTQ+ icons like Chappell Roan.

Perverts transcends conventional musical boundaries by unfolding as a timeless exploration of Cain’s Southern Baptist roots and an investigation into drone music. Influences from iconic albums such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s F#A#∞ and DJ Shadow’s Preemptive Strike are perceptible in its structure. The album’s evocative sound is underpinned by field recordings of running water near Three Sisters Island, captured by Cain herself, which adds authenticity and depth to the overall listening experience.

While fans who initially connected with Ethel Cain through her pop hits may find Perverts an intimidating experience, the record boldly encapsulates the sonic territory Cain desires to explore. According to Stereogum, Cain describes Perverts not merely as an album, despite its extensive duration, leaving open the possibility of alternative interpretations of her work. Regardless of categorization, the aural journey presented here becomes a profound and existential experience.

Track List for Ethel Cain – Perverts

Track	Title	Length
1	“Perverts”	12:04
2	“Punish”	6:40
3	“Housofpsychoticwomn”	13:35
4	“Vacillator”	7:44
5	“Onanist”	6:24
6	“Pulldrone”	15:14
7	“Etienne”	8:43
8	“Thatorchia”	7:24
9	“Amber Waves”	11:32

8. Thatorchia

This track may be devoid of traditional lyrics, yet it is saturated with Cain’s emotive vocalizations. The layered, wordless lamentations create a sonic tapestry that ebbs and flows alongside static and drone elements, culminating in an eruption of overdriven guitar and bass just over five minutes in. The track’s name suggests a blend of “thanatos”(representing death) and “orchia”(testicle), pointing to the song’s exploration of shame, divine judgment, and personal sexuality.

7. Etienne

Offering a gentle respite after the intensity of its predecessor, “Etienne”utilizes a soothing guitar-and-piano arrangement reminiscent of earlier tracks. The closing moments feature a heavily modulated sermon from the 1970s or ’80s, sampled by Cain. This unexpected inclusion injects an oddly uplifting perspective amidst the album’s overarching themes of self-loathing and despair.

6. Housofpsychoticwomn

The title, taken from a book by Kier-La Janisse, reflects the track’s confessional tone. With a pulsing drone accompanied by hauntingly sincere repetitions of “I love you,”it conveys a raw monologue steeped in grief and longing. The narrator grapples with profound feelings of affection intertwined with a deep sense of unworthiness as the track builds towards a foreboding and unresolved conclusion.

5. Pulldrone

This track stands as the most challenging on the album, blending an almost mechanical, dissociated narrative detailing sins and inner turmoil with a continuous hurdy-gurdy drone. Through exploring the difficult path toward divine euphoria, Cain’s work resonates deeply with those intimately familiar with shame and desire.

4. Amber Waves

Initially teased with visual references to the surreal film The Reflecting Skin, this track encapsulates a narrative of love lost in addiction and self-denial. The closing chorus poignantly reflects the struggle against anhedonia, culminating in a mournful reflection on personal pain and disconnection.

3. Onanist

The term “onanist”invokes a historical context related to the act of masturbation, rooted in Biblical tales. The opening notes evoke the sense of an empty space infused with a yearning for love—layered with guilt. This tension between desire and shame is hauntingly portrayed in Cain’s voice as it flows over a backdrop of static and drone.

2. Vacillator

With its ghostly percussion and lyrical ambiguities, “Vacillator”further explores themes of intimacy versus isolation. The juxtaposition of desire against the narrator’s trepidation renders the track a poignant reflection on human connection—or the absence thereof.

1. Perverts

The opening track sets the stage for the album through a lo-fi rendition of the hymn “Nearer, My God, To Thee,”revealing complex emotions tied to spiritual conflicts. As the album unfurls, Cain deconstructs notions of morality and shame, challenging listeners to engage with the stark realities she presents.

Sources: Stereogum, @mothercain on Tumblr, Ethel Cain/YouTube, Spotify

Source & Images