Swansun’s “Loving Vincent” Paints a Portrait of Fleeting Romance
By Vy Le | Date: February 14, 2025
Swansun’s new single “Loving Vincent” drops just in time for Valentine’s Day, and honestly, it’s the perfect soundtrack for the holiday. Especially if you’ve ever fallen for someone you know isn’t gonna stick around. Inspired by The Smiths, R.E.M., and The Cure, the song brings in those dreamy, melancholic indie rock vibes, mixing shimmery guitars with lyrics that hit a little too close to home.
I love how the song opens with bass and drums. It gives off this light, almost carefree energy that makes it feel like a happy love song until the lyrics sink in and tell a different story. (Spoiler alert it’s not.) The groove feels upbeat, setting up this contrast between the bright instrumental and the gut-punch lyrics. The first verse lays it out perfectly. “I wouldn’t expect you to try and understand / I really hope that this one lasts.” That feeling of wanting something to work out even when you know it probably won’t really sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The chorus is ridiculously catchy. The way the phrases repeat really drives home that bittersweet inevitable heartbreak.
“Everything’s been so different since I’ve been loving Vincent but I know in the morning he’ll want me to go. / Everything’s been so different since I’ve been loving Vincent but I know in the morning it’s all gonna change.”
It gets stuck in your head fast. The stacked background vocals in the chorus feel like thoughts echoing in your head, making the heartbreak hit even harder with every repetition. They add this emotional depth, almost like the singer is trying to convince himself that this love is real when deep down he knows it’s not.
What makes this song stand out is how the melody feels warm and exciting, like a classic lovey-dovey indie rock song, but the lyrics cut right through that sweetness. The contrast between sound and story makes it hit even deeper, like those times when you know the silly little crush you have for that one person is not going anywhere but you still decide to say screw it and listen to your heart. That feeling of getting caught up in something temporary, knowing it won’t last but holding onto it anyway, is what makes “Loving Vincent” so relatable.
Talking about “Loving Vincent”, the band hopes "listeners feel the innocent excitement of having a crush when listening to the song," and you can definitely hear that in the way the song balances joy and heartbreak. There’s a rush to it, like the emotional high of falling for someone even when you know you’re going to crash.
About Swansun:
Swansun is a psychedelic rock band from South Jersey, blending influences from The Beatles to Black Sabbath. What started as a one-time project in 2021 quickly turned into something bigger, and the band has been pushing their sound ever since. Now consisting of Alan DeCecco (guitar), Evan Ayrer (bass), Ryan Foor (keys), Nick Bsales (drums), Sidney Riley (drums), and Dave Mercoli (guitar), they bring together a mix of styles that shape their unique take on modern rock. Signed to Red Oaks Records, Swansun continues to evolve, creating music that blends nostalgia with fresh, emotional storytelling.
Loving Vincent is out now on all streaming platforms! 🎨
