FINNEAS, the lyrical genius that he is, did not disappoint with the recent release of his second album on Oct. 4, 2024. “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” features 10 songs and totals 40 minutes. The album follows themes of relationship issues and self doubt —leaving listeners crying, pondering and begging for more. 

Opening with “Starfucker,” the song takes listeners on a ride of sympathy mixed with sadness. FINNEAS talks about a past lover that had hurt him, essentially using him for clout, hence the title “Starfucker.” During the start of the song he refers to his subject as “Honey,” which is mentioned multiple times throughout the whole album. 

Throughout this track he talks about how he knew better than to love the subject. He genuinely loved them but the feelings were not reciprocated and how any apology would have made a huge difference.

“Starfucker, I loved you, Against my better judgment / Cartier around your wrist, I was such an optimist, But you’re a fucking narcissist / If you’d just apologized, I’d still be yours for sure, But you’re cruel (You’re cruel.)”

Jumping ahead to track four, “Little Window,” FINNEAS takes a jump from relationship issues to mental health issues. FINNEAS talks about how life is drained from his significant other even though they are physically alive, the act of overthinking and caring for someone with mental health issues. Here, FINNEAS refers to the subject as “Honey” once again. 

“Honey, what’s on your mind?, “Everything, all the time” / And you’re still alive, But you don’t look that way.” 

The slow, almost lullaby melody of this song captures the emotion behind it of depression, a slow and, at times debilitating, disorder. At the end of the track, we still follow the same beat; however, FINNEAS closes the song by admitting that the subject needs to become the reason for their own happiness and they need to work towards getting better. 

“Buy yourself a halo, Illuminate your room.”

Track six, “Same Old Story,” is my second favorite track on the album. The gut wrenching, heartbreaking and soul crushing feelings that this song makes the listener experience in a short four minutes and  two seconds is amazing. 

Acceptance is the main theme of this track. Accepting that no matter how much you may love someone and try to hold out or beg them to stay, they are going to leave and there is nothing you can do about it. Feeling embarrassed that they have such an impact on you, that you would take them back if you could. Touching on the theme of self-doubt, we hear FINNEAS ask if he is the reason for the past lover leaving, if he did something to drive them away. 

“A little lonely, a little wasted, You think you know me, and I wish you did / Did I get boring, or did I wear you out? / I know you’re leavin’, and I don’t care why / It’s controversial that I am still yours.”

The star of the album, “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” makes its appearance at track eight and is a switch up from the past themes. Right off the bat it is more upbeat then past tracks with fast paced percussion, drums and brass solos throughout the song.  FINNEAS has a pleading tone behind the words he is singing, which matches past tracks, but the upbeat matter of this track makes it seem like he is almost fed up with the back-and-forth from this relationship. 

Once again, he touches on how he is stuck on his past lover, and it feels almost impossible to move on, even though he knows he has to. It also sounds like the subject and him crossed paths and had a one-night stand, which has set back all his progress in attempting to get over them. 

“I’m calling your name (Name), You’re wearing me out (Out), But I love you the same / (Ooh-ooh-ooh) Watch what you say when you’re talking to me, The meaner you are, the harder to leave, (Ooh-ooh-ooh) Walking away with your kiss on my cheek, And a bruise underneath.”

Track nine is my personal favorite, “Family Feud.” FINNEAS seems to be speaking to his sister Billie Eilish, who is also a musician, and just so happens to be one of my favorites. However, I like this song for many more reasons other than the fact that it has to do with Eilish. 

FINNEAS supported the start of his younger sister’s career as a singer and songwriter, helping her produce music, so this song was very sentimental. It touched a special place in my heart as I also have younger siblings who I care about and this song made me think of them. 

“And you’re only twenty-two, And there’s nothin’ I can do / Part of me is part of you, Just a different shade of blue.” 

The slow and calmness of his voice throughout this song makes it easy to listen to and draws out the emotion from the track even more. He makes personal references to their life as they grew up, which makes it feel special and inviting for fans to share these moments between them. 

This album has quickly become one of my favorites and is constantly on repeat. I love how the whole album carries the same few themes between all the tracks and none of the songs feel like oddballs of the bunch. It can be difficult for artists to capture their own emotions, let alone emotions that a lot of society may feel; however, FINNEAS has never failed to put so many thoughts of others into words and beautiful songs. 

Edited by Molly Levine | mlevine@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Ava Mohror and Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com