Gatlin Ponders the Woes of Being "Too Much Woman," Covers Hoobastank's Iconic "The Reason"
Profound rising indie-pop star Gatlin returns with a new original single, “Too Much Woman,” along with a cover of the beloved 2003 Hoobastank hit, “The Reason.” Taking a track that was recorded during the process of her last EP released in September, I Sleep Fine Now, and combining it with a nostalgic cover is the perfect storm to showcase where Gatlin is right now in her musical journey. Tying fans over until her next project, “Too Much Woman” embodies elements that have become signature-Gatlin, while still finding the space to tease a new artistic direction.
“Too Much Woman” starts with striking cymbals that invoke a level of dissonance so intriguing that the song captures you instantly. Enter Gatlin’s vocals, singing in an apathetic cadence to emphasize the exhaustion in her words. As she sings “I’m not your mother, I’m your lover / And you need better friends,” the poison in her delivery is potent and rightfully so. The track embodies the experience of dating as a woman, specifically of the often unspoken expectation of toning down your true personality.
The track leans into elements of indie rock, but also has a dream-pop landscape that elevates the sound to something you can’t quite put your finger on. Choices like incorporating a funky bass and cheeky adlibs contribute to “Too Much Woman” being a standout track in Gatlin’s already impressive catalog.
On the inspiration behind the track, Gatlin says, “It’s a song that covers the duality of women; strong/angry in the production for most of the song but ending with a light, gentle, beautiful final chorus." At the end of the track, she changes the lyric from “too much woman,” to “too much human.” brilliantly summing up the topic at hand with a simple word switch.
For Gatlin, recording her own version of “The Reason” to pair with this release was about honoring her inner child. She recalls singing the iconic moody track as a kid, pretending to relate to its intense emotions. After gaining enough life experience to have her own woes to sing about, this sentimental cover takes on a whole new meaning. She describes it as her “own dramatic indie version” and that’s exactly what listeners can expect.
If these tracks are any indication of where Gatlin’s music is headed, we absolutely cannot wait to come along for the ride.
Watch the "Too Much Woman" and "The Reason" lyric videos below:
