In the wake of betrayal, even mighty Circus Trees can wither.
Three years after the release of their weighty album Delusions, the Marlborough sisters further refine their mastery of melancholy post-rock with “Save Yourself,” a mournful warning that cuts straight to the roots of their self-loathing. The new single — and aching first glimpse at their forthcoming LP — grapples with a stunted relationship that’s left both sisters feeling scarred and lowly. Their spirits audibly droop, mired down by the past.
“’Save Yourself’ is a song of self-loathing, exploring issues of love and trust with the people most close to me, and taking the blame for it whenever one of these relationships goes wrong,” says singer and guitarist Finola McCarthy. “Like so many others, I experienced a deep betrayal early in my life, and the void it left in my heart forms the core of the emotions that build within the song. This is a painful, emotional, slow-building exploration of the feelings that linger when the person you thought you could always depend on has left you, and the effects of sabotage it has on every other relationship you try to have.”
Defeatism dominates the song, edging McCarthy towards a gutting suggestion: “Save yourself from our short-term love / All my problems that I’m not proud of /So find yourself some company / Anyone, anyone but me.” Yet one tendril of hope sprouts from the scorched earth, refusing to be choked out by the surrounding cynicism.
“I’ve got some damage,” she admits, “but I won’t let go.” It’s McCarthy’s one defense against complete rot, holding on to the potential for change after growing in the opposite direction for so many years.
That’s how you heal — how you save yourself.
Tune in below.
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