DON’T GO BACK TO YOUR EX. INSTEAD, LISTEN TO LUCY FROST’S “LEAD PAINT”

Hauntingly beautiful with a message of self-empowerment, Lucy Frost painfully explores a destructive relationship in “Lead Paint.” With vocals that sound like alternative Olivia Rodrigo, Frost retells a haunting relationship in whispers that embody the feeling of telling ghost stories.

Frost starts out slow, holding back from the chaos by leading the way with soft delivery and acoustic guitar. The track then commences with eerie electric guitar and an emotional drum breakdown that complements the choked-up sounds of the chorus. As the track progresses, the song’s atmosphere intensifies, drawing you deeper into the story.

What sells the entire song is the innate cleverness in the lyrics. The terrible partner is framed as someone who creates the illusion of a safe home but is actually unstable. Their walls are covered in lead-based paint and “won’t keep you safe,” representing toxicity not apparent at first glance. It just goes to show how you may think you know a person, but their true intentions lie just below the surface.

The standout lyrics have to be “One day you’re nailing picture frames and the next he’s nailing your best friend” – a clever callback to the house motif while shoving in a toxic action.

“Lead Paint” is a cautionary tale about the naivety that stems from perceived love. Instead of living in ignorance, Lucy Frost breaks out of the rose-colored glasses to embrace self-awareness and ultimately self-care.