Neon Trees Shares Acoustic Version Of “Used To Like”
Last November, Neon Trees shared their new song, “Used To Like,” with the music video out just two weeks ago. It’s the lead single for their upcoming album, due later this year. Today, fans can hear a new acoustic version of the song and see its lyric video.
This acoustic rendition of “Used To Like” is softer, and the lyrics feel more poignant than ever. Over the strum of an acoustic guitar, frontman Tyler Glenn gently croons the first verse. He glides up on the chorus, but his voice doesn’t take on the usual punchy angst here. Instead, his voice – controlled yet emotional – sounds more heartbroken and raw. Drums and bass kick in on the second verse, and Tyler sings with more energy and the addition of vocal harmonies. It’s a beautiful and nuanced version of “Used To Like” the lends a new perspective on the song.
Listen to the acoustic version of “Used To Like” in the lyric video below:
You can stream or buy “Used To Like” from all the major music providers here. The song will appear on Neon Trees’ next album, due out later this year.
More About “Used To Like”
In an interview with Atwood Magazine last November, Tyler spoke a bit about “Used To Like,” which he wrote in November 2018:
I was kind of doing back to back sessions with a producer, Mike Green, whom I’ve been writing with since about 17 on and off. I knew I was going in that morning and I was having a frustrating text conversation with someone I was in a bit of a relationship with. It was the last of the million up and downs that I could tell, this is leading nowhere. I remember we were talking about something, and he was very antagonistic, and I said, “Well, that’s what you used to like about me.” I texted him that and I was like, that’s a really interesting idea for a song.
That’s the beauty of music, is that you can just put your real life into it. And it just came pouring out! I remember the song wasn’t even finished, I took the demo and I remember just listening to it a million times.
He also talked about the meaning of the lyrics:
It’s nice because throughout writing this record, there’s a lot of songs connected to that relationship. But I also ended that relationship right before the turn of this last year, so it was right before January. It’s been cool to be distant from that personally, and also grow a new appreciation for the songs.
When I listen to those lyrics now, I do think of that relationship, but I think about the growth I’ve had since – and I think about how important it was to capture that desperation in a way, because that song, as much as it is upbeat and anthemic, if you broke it down and just read the lyrics, it’s kind of sad and desperate in away. It’s kind of a bit like, “Come on, let’s do this. Let’s just make this work.” I think that’s a really important mood to capture, because we all feel that – whether we like to talk about that or not – I think there’s moments we have that, where it’s not a good look to look desperate, but as human beings, that can be a natural inclination sometimes.
So in that way, I’m glad that there’s a song that exists like that. I think in true Neon Trees fashion, we’ve always had songs where maybe the music is really upbeat, but the lyrics are kind of sad. It stays that way with this song, too.
New Album
Tyler revealed that the band’s new album will feature 10 songs, at least one of which is a proper ballad. He also stated:
Writing this record, there was definitely a through-line through the record. Especially when we’ve honed it down to these 10 songs, I think it’s really succinct; there’s an arc through the record. I think I’m still writing about themes that are pretty much on par with Habits or Picture Show, but I’m doing it with this new lens with this new, current lens and with a lot of the growth that I’ve had over the last five years or so. There’s definitely an arc, and I think that’s cool to listen, for people that care to listen to a record in its entirety, I think that’s still important for me.
Coming Soon
The upcoming album will be their first in six years. Pop Psychology came out in 2014, then frontman Tyler Glenn shared his first solo album, Excommunication, in 2016. The band regrouped for their last single together, “Feel Good,” in 2017, and finally have an album mixed and ready for us now. We can’t wait to hear the new album! Stay tuned for further details, including the title, tracklist, release date, and more.
Enjoy the new acoustic version of “Used To Like,” and stay tuned for more about the upcoming album. Keep checking back here for all the latest Neon Trees music news.
- Green Day Announces ‘BBC Sessions’ & Shares “2000 Light Years Away” - October 22, 2021
- The Weeknd & Swedish House Mafia Team Up for “Moth To A Flame” - October 22, 2021
- See Lana Del Rey’s Music Video for “Blue Banisters” - October 20, 2021
