Song Review: ‘Mourning’ By Post Malone

Post Malone steps back into the music scene in raw and vulnerable fashion with his new single, “Mourning,” the first taste from his upcoming album, ‘Austin,’ due to drop on July 28, 2023.

“Mourning” clocks in at a concise two-and-a-half minutes, a stark departure from his last year’s release ‘twelve carat toothache.’ The track reveals a more introspective side of the artist, capturing the struggle of navigating the intoxicating whirlwind of fame.

Malone commences the song with poignant wordplay, weaving an intricate narrative of the intoxicating effects of fame and the perils of artificial relationships. Lyrics such as “Don’t wanna sober up / The sun is killin’ my buzz, that’s why they call it mourning” reveal a raw and introspective narrative, a stark contrast to the typically carefree and bombastic themes in Malone’s past work.

The production, helmed by frequent collaborators Andrew Watt and Louis Bell, sets a somber backdrop for Malone’s emotionally-charged lyrics, marked by a mellow synth and acoustic guitar mix with a twitchy hip-hop beat. The track manages to strike a balance between an emotive, laid-back ballad and a melancholic party anthem.

However, while the song’s melancholic underpinning resonates, the brevity of the track may leave some listeners yearning for more. Additionally, Post’s exploration of his vulnerabilities is commendable but runs the risk of being overshadowed by the track’s catchy, danceable beats. It’s a delicate balance that’s difficult to strike, and in “Mourning,” Malone comes close but doesn’t quite hit the mark.

The verse “I just left Wally’s, spent a Maserati / The way I gotta flex, you’d think I did Pilates / I call my quote-unquote friends, “Do you got plans?” / Turns out everyone’s free when the dinner is,” provides a transparent look into the loneliness and superficiality of life in the limelight, highlighting the dichotomy between his public persona and private struggles. The line “When money ain’t a problem, everyone’s lyin'” is especially poignant, displaying a raw cynicism born of his experiences in the industry.

“Mourning” is the second single off ‘Austin,’ following the previously released “Chemical.” In a statement, Post promised his fans that this new album would feature “some of the funnest music” and “some of the most challenging and rewarding music” of his career. While “Mourning” indeed delivers a melancholic vibe that harks back to early Post Malone, it’s the glimmers of vulnerability that make the track and the upcoming album truly intriguing.

“Mourning” may not be a game-changer in terms of musical composition, but its lyrical depth and introspective theme mark a departure for Post Malone. The track hints at a more mature, reflective direction for the artist – one that could potentially create a new narrative for his musical persona.

Ultimately, with “Mourning,” Post Malone appears to be maturing, not just as an artist, but as a person living under the public eye, and it will be fascinating to see how this evolution unfolds in ‘Austin.’