You may know Conan Gray from his biggest hit, “Heather,” but he goes far beyond one melancholy song. While other artists dominated the media, Gray quietly released his new album, “Wishbone,” on August 15, 2025.
It’s an album of substance, but it’s been overlooked and underhyped in today’s catchy fifteen-second-clip music culture. This forced Gray’s beautifully written album into the shadows.
Gray’s journey started on YouTube in 2013 at just 14 years old. His first music-related video was a cover of the song “To Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.
Using a ukulele and singing in a style that has now been coined “cursive singing,” it wasn’t groundbreaking or revolutionary. But it showed his potential.
Over time Gray posted more covers and original songs, including his first song, “Antics,” which was an emotional introduction to his songwriting style. His first single, “Grow,” led to his debut album, “Sunset Season,” and aligned him with the bedroom pop wave sound alongside artists like Clairo, Beabadoobee, and Mxmtoon. In March 2020, “Kid Krow” was groundbreaking for Gray’s career.
Songs like “Wish You Were Sober,” “Maniac,” and his biggest hit, “Heather,” skyrocketed his success because of their popularity on the recently mainstreamed app TikTok.
Since then Gray has continued to explore heartbreak and identity through “Superache,” “Found Heaven,” and now “Wishbone.”
The rollout of “Wishbone” started with two singles: “This Song” and “Vodka Cranberry.” “This Song” evoked a rush of first love, while two months later “Vodka Cranberry” captured the devastating unraveling of that love. Both showcased Gray’s strong story-telling abilities and set the tone for what was to come.
As someone fresh out of a relationship myself, I was bracing for impact. Yet, the album hit harder than expected. Each track encapsulates the emotional rollercoaster of relationships, breakups, and healing.
The opening track, “Actor,” explores the heartache of hidden love. It’s reminiscent of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe,” but elevated by Gray’s haunting delivery and production talent.
Standout tracks like “Caramel,” “Care,” and, of course, “Vodka Cranberry” are not only emotionally rich but also beautiful and compelling.
Still, “Wishbone” has struggled to gain the recognition it deserves. Its release was overshadowed by the media surrounding other artists. Taylor Swift’s dominated headlines with her engagement and new album.
Ariana Grande’s tour prices sparked some debates, and Sabrina Carpenter’s album, “Man’s Best Friend,” dropped just 14 days later and pulled attention away from Gray’s beautifully written album.
While these artists have their strengths, I believe that many of them are focusing more on popularity than substance.
And that’s where Gray’s work stands out. With some recent releases, it’s hard to find where one song ends and the next begins. With “Wishbone” it’s cohesive, but not every song is identical.
His music isn’t made for virality but for reflection. “Wishbone” doesn’t scream for attention, but it lingers. It sits with you.
And that makes its lack of widespread acclaim feel less like a failure of the artist and more a failure of the industry.
