2 much 2 love about Aidan Bissett’s debut album- shut up and love me
By Rebecca Sobrevilla
Aidan Bissett is a rising singer-songwriter who has been flourishing in the Alternative Pop and Indie Rock space. After gaining popularity from viral TikTok videos and songs such as “Tripping Over Air” and “More Than Friends”, he has continued to mature his sound through several singles and EPs. While he has been continuously releasing music and touring, he spent the last two years perfecting his latest project. Bissett released his debut album, shut up and love me on July 25, and it has easily proven to be his greatest body of work. Through his strong lyricism, storytelling, and aesthetics, all 13 tracks take listeners on a journey of the complications and complex emotions that follow modern love and relationships.
shut up and love me
From beginning to end, Bissett curates a narrative that follows the exploration of love and the struggles that may arise from it. Themes of unrequited love, miscommunication, and addiction to intimacy are unpacked frequently. While the lyricism of this album is vulnerable and honest, an abundance of the record is infused with vibrant and lively instrumentation that follows the Alternative and Indie-Rock genres. Singles off this album, such as “are we in love yet?”,“ricochet”, “2 much 2 handle” and “dance around it” are all perfect examples of this and gave listeners a taste of what to expect for the remainder of the record. With heavy influences from the 80s and artists like The 1975, David Bowie, and Peter Gabriel, he continues the catchy riffs and emotional arc with songs like “reading into it”, “obvious”, “weak end”, and “are you curious?”.
On the contrary, tracks such as “when i die”, “bloodtype” and “my funeral” sonically mirror the emotional depth of the story with more melancholic and somber ambiences. While Bissett revealed that “bloodtype” was his favorite lyrically,“my funeral” is a song that is very dear to him and one that he believes to be the saddest on the entire album. This song specifically is drawn from the first time he experienced the loss of a close friend. With stinging lyrics like: "I bought the same shampoo you use/cause I don't want to wash you away” and “Falling asleep in all my clothes/My god, I miss you so/ I can’t let you go/ It’s my funeral”, he bottles up the feelings of mourning and how to navigate coping through these emotions. Although this delves into the loss of another in a non-romantic sense, it matches the emotional turbulence you can face in those situations.
Aside from the core themes, the small details are also important to note. With Bissett’s vision being a never-ending cycle of craving and addiction, the concept of looping these feelings is evident the more you listen. If you’re attentive to the album, you will notice that the last track, “bloodtype” leads directly back to the first track, “reading into it”, creating a never-ending loop. This decision was purposeful and plays into the overall story that Bissett portrays–a constant repeat of torturous emotions. This easter egg also plays a role in the album's aesthetics, which are equally as vital to the storytelling of the album. Bissett has always taken pride in providing visuals to accompany his work. While he has always done this, the visuals this time around feel more intentional.
Although this record serves as a reflection of Bissett’s life and personal experiences, it’s something that can universally resonate with audiences who encounter similar situations and emotions. It has the potential to become a staple soundtrack for your next breakup or situationship. With his debut album already establishing captivating reactions from audiences, it’s obvious that Aidan Bissett will be a name to remember for years to come.
What’s next for Aidan Bissett?
While shut up and love me recently debuted, Bissett is already teasing a potential deluxe album. There’s nothing he loves more than creating art and connecting with audiences through it. He will be continuing this passion and bringing his latest album to life in cities all across North America on the shut up and love me tour. Catch him at a show near you and make sure to give his new album a listen!
Where to find Aidan Bissett: Instagram / TikTok / X / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube
