Thomas Headon returns from his hiatus with the seven-track EP, 'wasn't a fighting kid', debuting a new sound to benchmark the beginning of a new chapter in his life. For an artist with an array of four prior stunning EPs, the bar was set high - yet Headon jumped completely above this bar with this new project.
'wasn't a fighting kid', released in October of this year, feels deeply autobiographical, capturing a journey of self-discovery as Thomas navigates the complex emotions of growing up and re-evaluating his own outlook on life. The tone of this work marks a departure from his existing catalogue of work, including his last EP, 'six songs that thomas headon likes and thinks you would like too', released in 2023. While his previous discography catered towards youthful, light-hearted tracks which allowed him to really solidify his place within the indie-pop sphere, a contrast can immediately be drawn as Headon now brings about a matured sound and seems unafraid to peel back the layers of more complex emotions. It is clear to see the development from a teenager playing guitar in his bedroom, to the refined artist he has become, with this collection of songs providing a cathartic release for himself as he works through his recent experiences.
The EP opens with its lead single, 'Panic!', and we are thrown right into Headon's stream of consciousness. Right from the start, we’re given immediate insight into his perspective since we last heard from him — caught up in the whirlwind of his current frenzy of thoughts as we get a glimpse of how he is feeling. We hear Thomas increasing his intricate production (with a reunion between his collaborators Josh Grant and Stephen Barnes - a dream combination) even further. For instance, the song hosts a The 1975-esque breakdown in the bridge with a stripped back collection of intriguing sounding instruments and haunting vocals.
Lyrics like 'I spend too much time on my phone / When I hate the world, I don't leave my home / I don't know where all my taxes go / Though everyone talks about what they don't know' introduces a new level of vulnerability in Headon's storytelling, writing about a sore but real subject matter of when things get a bit too much and the importance of taking time to recover when you need it. This unfiltered introduction to this body of work establishes an honest tone that is revisited throughout the EP.
'she's everything but mine' is a track that feels so classically Thomas Headon, reminiscent of previous songs like 'WET TONGUE' and '2009 TOYOTA' but with a new ROLE MODEL inspired narrative. This track feels like an initial response to a breakup, reflecting on the partner's differences that may have led to the fallout, yet the uncomfortable feeling like you're still connected. For an artist with such a strong reputation in live performance, it's been a while since a Headon concert, and we are absolutely rearing, ready to dance to this track in the pit.
On the flip side, the following track ('it all comes down to you') acts as the emotions in this situation beneath the dance-inducing track of 'she's everything but mine'. This stripped back, beautifully produced track is absolutely gut-wrenching and perfect for a dark autumn evening. It almost feels like a Phoebe Bridgers (or boygenius) written track with its detailed and reflective lyricism. Perhaps 'she's everything but me' is the surface level vision of one's emotions during a breakup, but 'it all comes down to you' is the journal entry, inviting the listener into Headon's mind to hear the true, core consciousness.
The lyrics of this song sound like a letter to a past lover and the gentle crescendo in the second verse as we head into the chorus really solidifies the frustration of processing emotions when entangled with another person.
Moving forward in the project's narrative journey, Headon presents a striking depiction of life after a breakup in 'Chicago', arguably one of his strongest tracks to date. This song continues with Headon's hard-hitting and vulnerable storytelling, with lines like 'And even though I won't run into you, I still feel the same / 'Cause I can't go to Chicago without wishing you'll be at the gate' mirroring the experience of no longer having a person in your life. While distance after heartbreak is necessary and beneficial long term, one cannot help but stumble down memory lane when returning to places that hold memories, and recall the person that took centre stage in these memories. The track really does capture the connection we hold between places and people and allows the listener to embody this heartache as something so relatable. Lyrics like 'Now am I meant to pour my heart out if it's gonna change / Depictions of me? Oh, what a picture of you' question whether words can change the perspective of this emotionally charged situation, and how maybe versions of events cannot be shaped or mended by reaching out to the person you lost, perhaps what has happened cannot be changed.
Headon's inclusion of the motif 'maybe we should all get along with each other', which features across the EP and creates the transition between 'Chicago' and 'Why do you think you're Jesus?', sprinkles the notions of optimism and community into this work. This is a subtle nod to Headon's step back from social media, ultimately returning with the message of spreading love throughout his dedicated fanbase.
Taking to Instagram upon the release of the EP, Thomas said 'I've been a little lost on music... i made this ep purely with my friends, and my whole outlook on everything going forward has changed. it takes nothing to be kind to any human, every single one of us is valuable'. This message is woven into the tracks and it is evident that Thomas is infusing true compassion into his new music.
'Why do you think you're Jesus?' as a whole felt like a real eyes-widening moment during its first play. Welcome back, Matty Healy! Overall, Thomas has taken a real risk with his sound. It shows that he is becoming more comfortable with the music he is creating and releasing when each song sounds so sonically different but clear cohesion within the journey he is conveying remains.
'Hero!' is another boundary-pushing track for Thomas, where we meet him right at the intersection between this newer, mature sound, and satirical music that doesn't take itself too seriously. Lyrics like 'Someone’s got a different opinion / I bet they're a fucking piece of shit' provides a response to cancel culture, and how the pendulum can swing from support and praise to alienation and rejection of views so quickly in this age, without validity. Other lines in the verses like 'Someone posted their wedding photos I hope they’re divorced in two weeks / I’m gonna find their spouse and make sure they cheat' feel laced with sarcastic cynicism portraying how people online can root against you, eagerly waiting for your joyful moments to shatter. Even when moments shared are positive at their core, it highlights the online mindset of assuming a right to intrude and diminish the significance of peoples wins.
The track overall presents a unique way of commenting on fan culture, with the chorus stating, 'I'm the hero, lately! / Doesn't phase me if I'm crazy just as long as people always praise me!' It critiques the way people can adhere to the opinions of individuals online and the consequences this can have when things can be so misconstrued or even twisted, yet attention is still recognised and praised regardless of right and wrong. It reveals a very interesting perspective from Thomas as he takes a new approach to media, telling Dork, '...I don't want to talk about my personal life online, and I shouldn't have to.'
Thomas brings the tempo right down for the EP's closing track, ‘its all so beautiful (yet such a bitch)’. The title itself is so telling of the sentiment that the track, and record as a whole, present. It acknowledges the struggle and their outcomes, reaching a place that is neither good nor bad, but falling somewhere in between the two to enable you to move on from things that ultimately hinder your progression. One can acknowledge their part to play in causing pain, but still let go of its hold on you.
Tracks that bring about a conclusion to a journey, within a body of work, always feel like they close the chapter perfectly and this was achieved with the closing song as we reach the present, evolved Thomas Headon - one who has worked on himself and taken the time to step back and return with a vision and nuanced approach to music creation and life. Thomas has reinvented his sound and this will pave the way for his journey as an emerging artist to reach new heights within his career.
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