B-Side Guys

Eliza Roe’s “Ethereal Junkie” floats into the soundscape like a half-remembered dream, its hazy production mirroring the song’s exploration of self-delusion and emotional dependency. This collaboration with Kevin Kim marks Roe’s foray into dream pop, showcasing her versatility as an artist unbound by genre constraints.

The track’s opening lines, “I’m afraid of honesty / Why, it’s only me in my head,” immediately plunge listeners into a world of internal conflict. Roe’s vocals, ethereal and slightly distant, perfectly capture the disconnection between self-perception and reality. The production, with its swirling synths and muted beats, creates a sonic fishbowl that echoes the lyrical content.

“Ethereal Junkie” navigates the treacherous waters of codependency with unflinching honesty. Lines like “I’m high on your idea of me” and “I’m under the influence of what you think of me” paint a vivid picture of an identity crisis fueled by external validation. Roe’s ability to articulate this complex emotional state is a testament to her growth as a songwriter since her Soundcloud days.

The song’s structure, with its dreamy verses and more grounded chorus, mirrors the push and pull between escapism and reality. The repeated refrain of “I’ve gotta stop saying sorry / For breathing” serves as both a moment of self-realization and a rallying cry for self-acceptance. It’s a powerful sentiment wrapped in a deceptively gentle musical package.

“Ethereal Junkie” stands as a turning point in Roe’s musical journey, blending her electronic roots with a more introspective songwriting approach. The track lingers in the mind like a vivid dream, its uneasy catharsis a promising indicator of Roe’s potential to carve out a unique space in the dream pop landscape.