Six months ago if you asked Portland based artist Sadeyes about the current state of his love life, he might’ve told you that his significant other deserves better. Following a period of self reflection and improvement, Sadeyes has come to the conclusion that he might also be in need of a change in scenery.
Following the late 2018 release of his second full length project Unscathed, Sadeyes has been releasing a profusion of lucrative and deeply personal singles. His latest installment, “I Deserve Better”, is a glimpse into Sadeyes own crumbling relations with an unnamed love interest as well as his unfiltered opinions of the girl in question.
The production of “I Deserve Better” is handled in full by producer and frequent collaborator Ocean Beats. Ocean has previously lent his talents to the Sadeyes track “Jaded,” as well as a number of other cuts off of Sadeyes’ aforementioned album Unscathed. Sadeyes’ voice seems to be at home on Ocean’s beats, and following the release of this latest single, I think it’s safe to say that the duo just works. On this cut, Ocean’s affinity for slowed vocal samples and minor-key guitar is in full effect. Blend that with some lo-fi percussion and a swing BPM, and you have the groundwork for a ballad that’s from the heart.
Sadeyes has an overall delivery on the track that is laid back and heartfelt in the same breath. His casual cadence allows for his numbness to be on full display, and when coupled with unfeigned backing vocals, the vocal performance is a perfect mesh of raw emotion. You can the apparent disappointment Sadeyes has for his ex-lover in the hook:
I wanted love // You want a fantasy // I wanted trust // You couldn’t handle me
Sadeyes is on a warpath of catharsis, and seemingly won’t stop making music until there’s nothing left on his mind to write about. I’m not religious, but I might pray for anyone that does him wrong. Listen to the single “I Deserve Better” below.