B-Side Guys

Debut singles often attempt too much or risk too little. “Spinning in Circles” by Worst Wishes—introduced simply as “Ox County Sad Songs”—achieves that elusive middle ground, delivering emotional intensity and musical confidence that belies their newcomer status.

This post-hardcore offering with pop-punk undertones explores grief and self-acceptance through stark imagery and emotional directness. The opening scene of watching someone carry a coffin immediately establishes emotional gravity, creating a narrative foundation built on genuine loss rather than manufactured angst. This authenticity runs throughout the track, manifesting in both lyrical content and vocal delivery that balances raw emotion with technical control.

What distinguishes “Spinning in Circles” from similar entries in the emotional post-hardcore landscape is its structural balance. The verse sections offer intimate confessional moments, creating space for narrative development before the chorus explodes into the titular image of circular motion. This push-pull dynamic creates productive tension that mirrors the emotional landscape of processing grief—moments of focused clarity interrupted by overwhelming emotion.

The track demonstrates sophisticated awareness of the genre’s history through subtle references to scene conventions. When mentioning “songs with long titles” that help listeners cope, the band acknowledges emo/post-hardcore’s tendency toward verbose song titles without falling into parody. This self-awareness creates an intergenerational connection between current emotions and established artistic traditions.

Most compelling is how “Spinning in Circles” frames its emotional core around the concept of kindness—specifically, the challenge of extending compassion to oneself. The repeated wish to “look at myself with kindness” transforms what might otherwise be standard relationship examination into deeper self-reflection. This introspective shift gives the track emotional depth beyond typical genre offerings, suggesting a band interested in psychological exploration rather than merely documenting heartbreak.

The concluding realization about no longer being able to “blindly love” offers no neat resolution, instead leaving listeners with the uncomfortable truth that some forms of attachment become impossible after certain experiences. This refusal of artificial closure demonstrates narrative maturity that promises interesting development on future releases.

For a band that describes this debut as having “absolutely poured our heart into it,” the emotional investment is evident throughout. If “Spinning in Circles” represents Worst Wishes’ starting point, their artistic trajectory bears watching, particularly if they continue balancing raw emotional expression with thoughtful compositional choices that honor genre traditions while avoiding their limitations.