Wishbone, the American multi-platinum singer-songwriter Conan Gray’s 4th studio album, reveals a more authentic version of himself that reaches new levels of artistic depth. With the help of producers Dan Nigro, Ethan Gruska, Noah Conrad, Elvira Anderfjard, and Luka Kloser, Gray creates the “album I have dreamed of making.”
Gray signed with Republic Records in 2018, where he then released his debut EP, Sunset Season. Followed by Kid Krow in 2020, Superache in 2022, Found Heaven in 2024, and finally Wishbone in 2025.
Unlike his prior album, Found Heaven, which experimented with different writing styles, Wishbone returns to the original, diaristic style from the early stages of his career. To create the album, Gray wrote 300 songs. His hard work has paid off, as it has become his highest-charting album thus far.
He states his “entire career has led up to” the creation of the deeply personal and fan-favorite album.
His music tends toward melancholic lyricism, depicting relationships and real-life experiences, while his style varies from bedroom pop to 80s synth-pop.
While every track stands strong on its own, it’s important to listen to the album from top to bottom for the best listening experience, as it includes a complete story arc in chronological order.
The album tells a heartbreaking story of a secret, unstable relationship, with tunes that represent a journey from an unhappy relationship, to heartache from a breakup, to resentment, and eventually, to acceptance. It kicks off with “Actor,” a song that, despite its bumping beat, sets the tone with the devastating struggle of depleting love and the inability to move on.
Almost all of the song’s bridges stand out. The lyricism and intensified vocals amplify the storytelling. The bridge that most encapsulates this idea is in the track “Caramel.”
“All the nights with your friends around
Ignoring me so they won’t find out
You can act real cool ‘cause it’s over now
But man, you cried when it all went down
And no one believed me, you gaslighted feelings
’Till you had me thinking that I was the reason
That I was losing my mind”
Each bridge adds an invigorating feeling to its respective song and speaks volumes to the overwhelming pain, grief, and hurt coming from the emotions this album is built upon.
The album closes with an equally strong song, “Care,” tying it all together with yearnful lyricism that circles back to the first. Whereas the first song, “Actor,” seems cut-throat and represents the hurt from another person’s actions, “Care” reflects the calm after the storm. The beginning and the end recognize the lingering love for a person who hurt you, while not forgetting the pain they caused.
Gray and his team also produced a music video trilogy of the songs “This Song,” “Vodka Cranberry,” and “Caramel.” Starring actor Corey Fogelmanis, he and Gray act as two fictional characters in a coming-of-age story that reflects the arc of the album.
These cinematic videos far surpass other current-day videos as they’re designed like short films rather than random scenes thrown together.
To engage his audience, Gray launched a small North American tour called “The Wishbone Pajama Show.” Cozy and intimate, his distinctive series of concerts includes fan interactions, with a segment where selected fans get to break a wishbone with Gray and choose the next song.
The cycle of love and heartbreak described in the album both engages and resonates with the listeners. It truly expresses the different forms and waves in which those feelings and emotions come.
Overall, the album is strong and unique throughout and is truly a great example of what Conan Gray believes himself to be as an artist.
Conan Gray’s Wishbone completely exceeds expectations. The devastating lyrics beautifully share the tragedy of breakups and the struggles of trying to move on. It reaches widespread audiences due to its relatable content and deserves a top-to-bottom listen.
