Art-rock seven-piece Lyle has released the mournful third single, “Windows,” from their forthcoming EP, Coward. “Windows” — a reflective piece on the passing of Lyle cofounder Lana McMullen’s father — uses sweeping instrumentation and harmonic vocals to expand upon grief in the wake of loss. The track progresses through feelings of confusion and resentment, ultimately reaching a resolution that emanates personal growth and a renewed sense of hope.
McMullen’s vocals, which glide overtop a melody of guitar, drums, bass, and synth, take the lead on the track — and rightfully so. She is joined by fellow vocalists Arthur James and Leah Tousignant, who effortlessly harmonize with McMullen and lend her the lyrical and, in a sense, emotional support she needs to tell her story.
“Windows” begins with a delicate picking pattern and faint guitar twangs that are overlapped by a sorrowful melody from the vocalist trio. Then, this opening fades into an instrumental section with a more determined backing beat. While still tinged with feelings of fragility, the heavy tempo conveys the inevitable transitioning of grief into anger. Following this brief section, the track crescendos into a resounding chorus in which McMullen exultingly releases the anguish and uncertainty she has felt since losing her father.
Evident in the lines “don’t try to find me now / and don’t lock the door on your way out / I’m not the one you know about / I’m not the one you knew,” are markings of McMullen’s development as an individual. After buoying herself through tidal waves of grief and anger, a new sense of self that was shaped — not scarred — by her trauma emerged. McMullen’s recognition that she is no longer the person she was before her loss is hopeful, and it’s as though, through her breathless singing, we can understand the relief she feels at the prospect of moving forward.
Although the track employs stylistic breaks in instrumentation and vocals to reflect the distinct stages of grief, “Windows” remains a cohesive, singular experience that artfully uses these breaks to emphasize the cyclical nature of trauma. Changes in the track’s tonality mark the introduction of conflicting emotions such as pain, fear, and acceptance. “Windows,” ultimately, does not portray a heroic, likely unrealistic story of resilience. Rather, it presents an honest reflection on how moving through cycles of grief can inspire an evolution of the self.
Windows
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