By Peyton Levine
Conan Gray’s song “Connell” was released in 2025 as Track 9 on his newest album, Wishbone. The song is one of his most emotionally mature pieces to date. While Gray is typically known for his pop style and deep lyricism, he uses “Connell” to explore the complex topics of heartbreak, longing, and the process of moving on. The honesty and heartfelt melody paired with Gray’s vulnerable reflection and musical talent make this song stand out. Through lyricism and creative production, Gray transforms his personal hardships into something universally relatable.
Musically, “Connell” captures a sense of yearning from the very beginning. The song begins very softly, while Gray’s vocals take on a quiet and somber tone. As the song builds, many layers of instrumentation fall into place, giving the tune a dramatic conclusion. The song’s slow build mirrors the emotional rollercoaster that is explored through the lyrics. In short, the song describes quiet heartbreak that morphs into eventual realization and acceptance of loss. The main producer of the song is Dan Nigro, who is known for working with artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, and Joe Jonas. His skill adds to the intensity of the song, while ensuring Gray’s voice is not lost. Ultimately, it’s the balance between tranquility and theatrical emotion that makes the song so effective.
Lyrically, “Connell” is one of Gray’s most tender and thoughtful pieces. It tells the story of a relationship where the other person was not as invested as he was. The ensuing heartbreak is the focus of the song. The lyrics capture both the pain of the heartbreak and the beauty of having been able to love another person so deeply. Gray sings about wanting to forget that the relationship ever happened, while knowing that the memories will never fully disappear. The name “Connell” is a reference to one of the main characters in the book Normal People by Sally Rooney. Fans have said that the repetition of the name at the end of the song almost sounds like someone who is trying to convince themself to move on but is not quite able to. Rather than representing a specific person, the repeated phrase represents a time in life that cannot be recreated or forgotten. It is the expression of the universal experience of holding onto something that has already ended.
One of the strongest elements of the song is the way Gray conveys his emotion through his voice. At the beginning of the song, his voice is quiet and trembling. By the climax, his voice holds much more power and volume. This emotional shift represents the emotional growth from sadness to acceptance. Some have said that the lyrics are very simple, but the way in which Gray conveys them makes the song completely unique. Lines like “You remind me of how little I deserve” reveal that even though ending the relationship was sad, the way this person made Gray feel was an obvious indicator that the relationship was not meant to be. Because of its simplicity, listeners are able to relate with Gray’s undramatized feelings.
Overall, “Connell” is a track that stands out on this album, highlighting Gray’s strength as both a songwriter and a storyteller. His music and audience continue to grow as he matures as a person, evidenced by the fact that the album received more streams in the first 24 hours than any other album he has released. Ultimately, through its lyrics and skillful production, “Connell” promises that Gray’s music will continue to amaze and inspire.
The Judson Mosaic 