Alexander 23 Wistfully Looks Back and Forward in "How To Drive"
Photo: Callum Walker Hutchinson
It's Alexander 23's birthday, and he's going to make us cry if he wants to. The singer-songwriter and producer has released his heartfelt single, "How To Drive," which chronicles his journey thus far. The song explores the confusion and wonder that comes with adulthood-posing questions that may not have an answer.
The bittersweet anthem opens with warped layers of distortion before suddenly cutting to soothing, delicate piano riffs. Alexander's smooth vocals are filled with fragility and longing for comfort. His lyrics hit listeners right in the feels as he sings over soft keys, "It feels like all my friends, they feel the same way / The candles take more breath on every birthday." The existential dread and questioning continue throughout the song as he reflects sentiments like, "I know I should shut up, enjoy the ride / But nobody ever taught me how to drive."
The artist shared on social media that the track isn't about anything but everything. "Life can be complicated, and life can be simple, and it can get real hard to tell between beauty and pain." the artists expressed. "Even that last sentence, like, is that insightful or just bullshit. I don't know. 'How To Drive' is about not knowing, I think."
The accompanying music video is an artistic collage of scenes and clips featuring photographs, videos, and home movie footage from the 28-year-old's life. The flurry of film captures the passage of time and oozes a sense of nostalgia for simpler times.
"How To Drive" is Alexander 23's most personal and vulnerable release to date. As his first effort of 2023, the single represents the end of an era as he moves toward the next evolution of his sound and creative vision.
Watch the "How To Drive" video below:
