So Proud That They Found Me

Drugdealer featuring Weyes Blood “Real Thing”

“Real Thing” is a very deliberate musical homage to early 70s soft pop – Carole King most obviously – but the sound is even dryer than actual 70s soft pop, making it feel a little bit surreal in its clean precision. I assume that’s also a deliberate decision, leaning into the ways a digital recording can yield similar but fundamentally different results. But getting caught up in those details is obsessing on the frame rather than the painting. The real meat of this song is Natalie Mering’s vocal melody, lyrics, and understated phrasing. She’s singing rather plainly about finding a new love that makes her feel appreciated and understood after years of feeling like that might be an impossibility. A lot of singers might approach singing about this by focusing on conveying euphoria, but she’s so measured and calm. You get the sense that she’s trying not to jinx anything, but also honoring the ways this love brings her happiness and comfort in small ways she might not have ever considered. It’s a very mature and adult way of writing and singing about love.

Buy it from Bandcamp.