In an unexpected turn of events this January, Hayden Anhedönia, the 27-year-old artist better known as Ethel Cain, found herself navigating a tumultuous episode involving the law. While completing her highly anticipated album, “Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You,” she encountered traffic-related legal troubles in her hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, which unexpectedly put her on probation and limited her travel plans. This setback forced her longtime collaborator, Matthew Tomasi, to fly to her instead, leading to an intensive creative session in her home studio.
During this period, Anhedönia and Tomasi found solace in binge-watching “Twin Peaks,” drawing inspiration from its haunting synths, which Anhedönia later incorporated into her music as a tribute to the late David Lynch. The themes of light versus darkness, prevalent in Lynch’s work, resonate deeply in “Willoughby Tucker,” where Anhedönia weaves a narrative about a profound but troubled love story amid life’s pressures.
Her previous album, “Preacher’s Daughter,” released in 2022, saw her confronting themes of trauma through the tale of a young girl grappling with her religious background. Despite its somber subject matter, it achieved significant critical acclaim, propelling Anhedönia into the spotlight and establishing her as a formidable voice in pop music, even landing her a feature in Forbes’ 30 Under 30.
Anhedönia’s ascent, however, has not been without challenges. She has faced backlash for past provocative statements, resulting in heated online debates concerning her identity and political views. As a trans woman from a conservative background, she reflects on her complex relationship with fame and public perception, admitting to the pressures and scrutiny that accompany her rising status.
Her latest release, “Perverts,” represented an experimental shift, delving into more abstract and unstructured compositions focused on themes of guilt and desire. This exploration allowed Anhedönia to affirm the breadth of her musical capability, moving between accessible pop and avant-garde soundscapes.
“Willoughby Tucker” serves as a prequel to “Preacher’s Daughter,” featuring pop-driven tracks that transition into deep, reflective instrumentals, echoing the struggles of first love in a flawed world. Anhedönia acknowledges that while she once sought to move forward musically, she felt an intrinsic need to revisit Ethel Cain’s earlier narrative.
Through the album’s creation, she revisited her own youthful vulnerabilities and emotions surrounding love, which she regards as a significant, albeit risky, aspect of life. Anhedönia’s exploration of love in her work, coupled with her recent personal experiences, speaks to the universal longing for connection and understanding. As she embraces her new relationship, she adopts a hopeful perspective: love, regardless of its complexities, remains a driving force and a beautiful pursuit.
“Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You” is set to be released on August 8, promising to deepen the narrative journey Anhedönia began with her first album. Her dedication to exploring the nuances of love and trauma continues to captivate her audience, embodying the belief that love in all its forms is fundamental to the human experience.