It’s hard to see your significant other struggle. When you love someone you share their pain, even when it has nothing to do with you. There is a constant weight on you as you worry about their well being, hoping to see any signs that they're doing better. As time goes on with little sign of improvement, however, insecurity inevitably grows. We begin to wonder if we are to blame, either by virtue of the relationship being flawed, or by simply not being supportive enough to truly help our partner. These insecurities, coupled with the stress of feeling responsible for someone else's mental health (not to mention our own) can turn even the most loving relationships sour. The conversations grow stale, and spending time together begins to feel like a chore as both people feel like they are letting the other one down. In her latest single “Fall For Anything,” Lexie Carroll has reached this point in her relationship. They have been reduced to small talk, as any attempt at opening up feels too depressing, too heavy to place as a burden on the one you love. Though she tries to respect her partner’s boundaries, Lexie can’t keep herself from assuming the worst. Every silence, every long period without a text, every deflection away from emotional honesty, feels like a sign that she is the issue. She’s reached her breaking point, and tired of going through motions, offers an ultimatum: let me in, or cut me off. Lexie only wants to help and if ending the relationship is the best way to do that, that’s something she can accept. On the other hand, she can’t keep letting herself feel like the bad guy, and the only way to avoid that is by having open communication so she can know what's truly going on. Either way, this is Lexie prioritizing her own mental health, trying to shed the constant stress and guilt of being responsible for somebody else’s well being.
The production on “Fall For Anything” is the epitome of bedroom pop. The chugging acoustic guitar, repetitive indie backbeat, and light keyboards combine to give the song a beautifully DIY vibe. No part of this track could be considered overproduced: the use of effects is exceedingly sparing, typically reserved for the accentuation of Carroll’s vocals. The natural sound of the instruments fits perfectly with the feeling of the song, leaving more than enough of the listener’s attention to focus on the emotion in Carroll’s voice. The stereo panning in the vocals, combined with the light use of reverb is reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers or Maggie Rogers, titans of bedroom pop that were clearly large influences on Carroll while writing this song. The chorus features an explosion of high end. Multiple floating keys, high harmonies, topped off by a slide guitar that drags the listener from one section to the next. Despite the weight of the verses, the chorus feels almost euphoric, as Lexie begins to put herself first and take a stance within her relationship.
At just 17 years old, Lexie Carroll has shown unbelievable potential at the outset of her career. In just the past two years, she has hit the ground running in building her discography, releasing three singles and two EPs since 2020. Her hot start has not gone unnoticed, Spotify featured Lexie’s “The Sky Looked Nice Today” in their “Next Gen Singer Songwriters” playlist, and she has appeared on multiple indie and folk pop compilation albums. This summer, Lexie has been incredibly active, releasing her second EP “When the Sun Came Up” in addition to “Fall For Anything,” and performing shows all across her home country of England.
Written By Liam Dun
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