Decoding Winter’s “The Lonely Girl” and the Depths of Emotional Vertigo in Modern Shoegaze

Photo by @goldrosecrown

Winter, the Brazilian-American dream pop/ shoegaze artist based in LA, has just unveiled her latest wonder, “the lonely girl,” setting the tone for a powerful start to 2024. Teaming up once again with producer Joo-Joo Ashworth, who previously worked on her 2022 album What Kind of Blue Are You, the duo deliver a beautiful picture that seamlessly blends indie roots and shoegaze influences.

“the lonely girl” has a unique origin story, born during a songwriting course led by the legendary Phil Elverum of The Microphones. Divided into two distinctive sections, the first half sits into a soft, spoken-word vocal style, while the latter erupts into a whirlwind of frenzied shoegaze guitars accompanied by shoegaze’s signature whispery vocals.

Delving into the lyrical depth of the song, Winter draws inspiration from the concept of "verticalization." In an interview with Consequence, she explains, "Whenever you get a memory or a feeling that transports you back to a past moment, it’s as if you were being ‘verticalized’ to another point in the spiral of your life."

This theme is reflected in the verses of the lonely girl, where Winter explores the complexities of identity and solitude: “What did she know about her mother's illness and how much could she understand? / She would do anything to bring back the light again / In vast spaces, she hears echoes / There's a loneliness, a sadness, that she enjoys / That she swims through / She clings to it as her identity then she gets carried away into a deeper state of solitude, and it scares her."

Winter revealed that the lyrics serve as an observation of her teenage self, reliving the emotional turmoil of witnessing her parents' divorce. “the lonely girl” becomes a cathartic release, allowing Winter to express and share the pain she felt during those challenging times.

Excitingly, Winter is set to open for shoegaze staple Drop Nineteens in 2024, promising a year filled with lively performances and thrilling experiences for both Winter and her dedicated fanbase. As “the lonely girl” resonates with listeners, it sets the stage for an active and emotionally charged year ahead for the talented artist.

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