Canadian pop group Glassreel are ringing in the new year with an upbeat new track.
"Myself Instead" describes a relationship that has lasted beyond its prime. The song is situated at the exact point where the first-person narrator finally realizes that it’s not working out, and that they are only ignoring their true self by staying. By putting the needs of another ahead of their own over and over again, and by pretending to still be invested in the relationship, the narrator is “erasing myself instead”.
The upbeat, synth-driven musical backdrop features a snaky lead guitar intertwined with Kelly Beaton’s elegant lead vocal, as well as a slide guitar interlude with psychedelic 80s overtones.
This is a demo version currently being released, to give Glassreel’s listeners a taste of what their upcoming second full-length album, What Will Become Of Us? (set for a fall 2025 release), will sound like.
“Myself Instead” was recorded and mixed by Shane Barron.
A meeting of breathy arrangements and atmospheric guitars, Winnipeg indie rock group Glassreel is a collaboration between Kelly Beaton and Trevor Graumann. Joined by the rhythm section of Ken Phillips and Sebastian Cox, the band’s music has been compared to artists such as Belle and Sebastian and Mazzy Star.
Glassreel’s full-length debut Lustre (September 30, 2022) gained coverage from Bandcamp, SiriusXM, and CBC, as well as airplay on college radio throughout North America (the song "Free Time" remained on CBC's national playlist two years after being released as a single). Glassreel has previously shared the stage with artists such as Wintersleep, Said the Whale, Fast Romantics and Dave Monks (Tokyo Police Club), toured Canada and the US, and showcased at festivals such as NXNE 2024.
"Myself Instead" is available now on all major streaming services.