“Griever” by Avery Cochrane: Reliving A Breakup
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Running into an ex can always bring up an abundance of intense, raw emotions. Avery Cochrane’s new single “Griever” documents the well-lived experience of being confronted by an old relationship and their new partner, and all the complicated feelings that come with it.
The song begins with the chorus, immediately hooking the listener. Its abrupt catchiness imitates the addictive rush of the beginning of an unhealthy connection. A fast spewing of rhyme after rhyme, the intro and chorus are a furious recounting of every injury and injustice Cochrane endured during this relationship. Having “blistered all [her] fingers” and “been flattened by the wringer,” Cochrane describes feelings that are completely relatable to the listener – pain and dejection. Facing a partnership where she gave so much and received nothing but mistreatment and abuse in return, she cannot help but unleash grievance after grievance. Her angry lamenting then turns into an objection to seeing her old partner, suggesting that they chose to run into her on purpose. Cochrane unleashes a handful of “how dare you” -s, a direct response to what feels like a stab to the heart, a reopening of the wound. Along with her feelings of dejection and anger, a feeling of self-consciousness emerges.
The end of the chorus presents a movie-like metaphor, demonstrating her worry about how she is now being perceived by this partner. Her imagery not only suggests that her partner is able to view and examine her as if she is a character on a screen, but also cleverly encourages the listener to do the same. This theatrical conceit carries into her verses when she asks if they “notice how the lights go out,” and “wonder[s] what’s [their] point of view”. Can they still read her as well as they used to? Do they know the emotional turmoil this run-in has caused her? Her perception of herself comes under question when she states how she always “wanted their approval,” and how, ashamedly, it is still something she craves. Her feelings of anger and bitterness, coupled with shame and embarrassment, are so incredibly familiar to listeners, and this openness of feelings that one would generally be chastised for makes her so incredibly relatable.
On the surface, this piece may be viewed as just another song about heartbreak, but the discussion of such taboo emotion and vulnerability she presents is what makes Cochrane’s “Griever” something that sticks with you.
