INDIE ARTIST GNAT UNVEILS DEEPLY VULNERABLE EP "IT BETTER BE PERFECT"

Emerging indie singer-songwriter Gnat is set to release a profoundly intimate EP that explores the complex landscapes of disappointment, emotional vulnerability, and personal growth.

In the raw emotional landscape of "Romeo Mania," Gnat captures a moment of relationship implosion that became the catalyst for their most vulnerable work to date. The track is a musical autopsy of paranoia, where perception becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. "I was feeling so trapped by his perception of me," Gnat explains, "constantly fighting this paranoia-fueled version of myself he was fixated on."

The song's genius lies in its circular structure - a lyrical maze - where the opening phrases, "I've never met a pest that's so determined to win," mirrors the closing sentiment, "I've never met a person so determined to lose." It's a musical representation of emotional cyclones, where the very act of trying to escape a narrative ultimately reinforces it.

This track serves as the emotional centerpiece of "It Better Be Perfect," an EP that emerged from two years of intense personal reckoning. Recorded in just seven days across two sessions, the project is a testament to Gnat's commitment to musical authenticity. Nearly every sound—from intricate guitar work to nuanced vocal layers—was created by Gnat themselves, a remarkable feat of musical self-sufficiency.

The EP itself is a profound exploration of disappointment, what Gnat describes as an "ode to the eldest daughter complex." Each track peels back layers of emotional complexity, from the familial tension of "Grandfather Clock" to the visceral heartbreak of "Fill." It's a musical journey that refuses to shy away from the messy intersections of rationality and emotion.

"These weren't necessarily written to go together," Gnat reflects, "but they somehow capture this undercurrent of disappointment I was experiencing." The result is a collection that feels both intensely personal and universally resonant—a musical map of emotional terrain that invites listeners to recognize their own complicated feelings.

Growing up in Seattle, Gnat’s relentless humming and unguided explorations of the family’s neglected piano slowly but surely blossomed into a love of songwriting. Unwittingly influenced by the music that surrounded them—from Steely Dan to Christina Perri (thank you, Dad and the early 2000s)—Gnat developed a unique sonic identity. They spent their high school years performing original music in Seattle’s iconic grunge venues, a venture that took a new shape during their college career.

After two formative years as bassist and co-lead singer of their beloved college rock band, Dinner With Me, Gnat has returned to solo work with a refined artistic vision. A queer musician with a deep commitment to storytelling, Gnat not only writes all their own lyrics, but also composes and performs every instrument, crafting a sound that is entirely their own. Their music sharpens the sounds of indie artists we know and love while blending in a uniquely rich and robust lyricism.

Following the recording and release of two albums with their band, Gnat’s first official solo record is set to meet the world in Spring 2025—an album shaped by years of heartfelt writing, meticulous composition, and hard work.

Written by Hannah Schneider x Unheard Gems PR