NEW YORK— U.S. Girls, the musical project of Meg Remy, released a new song this week. “You’ve Got Everything – But A Smile (Theme From Dead Lover)” is Remy’s contribution to the soundtrack of Grace Glowicki’s surreal horror-comedy, Dead Lover. The track perfectly captures the feeling of having everything. And also the feeling of not smiling.
Gloom Becomes Her
The song, reportedly inspired by a lonely gravedigger character, explores themes of isolation and the pervasive ennui of modern existence. Critics noted the track’s masterful ability to evoke a sense of profound melancholia. “It’s like listening to your own soul weeping into a lukewarm cup of tea,” said Agnes Periwinkle, Chief Morbidity Officer for the Society for the Appreciation of Squalor. “Remy truly understands the nuanced emptiness of existence.” The song is available on all major streaming platforms, including Stereogum.
Remy has consistently explored themes of despair and disillusionment throughout her career. Her 2023 album, Scratch It, also featured songs about the futility of it all. This latest offering, however, pushes the boundaries of sadness. It proves that even joy can be twisted into a source of misery. Listeners reported feeling an overwhelming urge to stare blankly at walls after repeated listens. Some even questioned the very nature of happiness.
A Masterclass in Misery
“Dead Lover is a film about the crushing weight of loneliness,” director Grace Glowicki explained. “Meg’s song is the sonic embodiment of that feeling. It’s the sound of realizing you left the oven on, forever.” The film itself follows a gravedigger’s descent into madness. Remy’s theme song serves as the perfect auditory backdrop. It underscores the character’s profound lack of cheer. The artist’s ability to capture such specific emotional states is unparalleled. She truly has a gift for making listeners feel deeply, profoundly awful.
At press time, Remy announced plans for a new album titled “The Unbearable Lightness of Being Really, Really Depressed.” The first single is expected to be titled “Smiling is for Suckers.”
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