On April 5, 2024, Conan Gray released his highly anticipated new album, Found Heaven. Found Heaven is the singer/songwriter’s third album and a departure from the angsty indie-pop he is known for. Although it is different than his previous two albums, this change did not come out of nowhere. Five singles were released prior to the album, demonstrating a more synth-heavy 80’s sound. Fans were intrigued by Gray’s new sound and eagerly awaited the release of Found Heaven, counting down the days until they could put it on repeat.
Tracklist:
- Found Heaven
- Never Ending Song
- Fainted Love
- Lonely Dancers
- Alley Rose
- The Final Fight
- Miss You
- Bourgeoisieses
- Forever With Me
- Eye of the Night
- Boys & Girls
- Killing Me
- Winner
Standouts from the album include “Alley Rose,” “Never Ending Song,” “Fainted Love,” “Bourgeoisieses,” and “Eye of the Night.” Gray experiments with different vocal and musical styles through the album, hailing from the dance, rock, and ballads of the 80’s and 90’s. Influences of Queen, Elton John, Michael Jackson, and David Bowie can be heard in the synths, vocal styles, and overall sound. Gray even dons a British accent at times, which was equally amusing and jarring on the first listen.
The album tells the story of a tumultuous relationship, switching between songs about wanting someone (“Boys & Girls”), to tales of toxic relationships (“Winner”), and not wanting to lose someone you love (“Alley Rose”). “Bourgeoisieses,” a lighthearted song speaking ironically about the gap between social classes, is a diversion from these themes. While Found Heaven has many highs, there are a few songs that appeared lackluster compared to their more colorful companions (“Forever With Me” and “Miss You”).
The album feels short, flying by in a blur of exhilaration, with a runtime of under forty minutes and the longest track length of 3:37 (“Winner”). Found Heaven feels like a pathway to a different level for Gray’s music, tapping into his vulnerability and creativity in a way that his past two albums did not. The range of emotions explored in the thirteen tracks represents the release of experiencing life and love to its fullest.
“[I’ve been] so afraid of ever getting hurt or rejected or feeling bad, that I ended up living no life,” shared Gray. “I kept this on my neck the whole time I was making this album [as a reminder] that I have to live my life.”
