A Mannequin Of A Genius

Marques Martin “Hailey”

The tensions in “Hailey” are constantly shifting around Marques Martin’s lyrics, suggesting an emotional context of anxiety and fear that’s often in stark contrast with the confidence – or affected nonchalance – of his words. Martin’s arrangement is dynamic and thoughtful, giving space for more relaxing or neutral moments and rendering some of the more nervous sections with subtlety and nuance rather than going with full-on claustrophobic dread. The overall effect of the song is a very vivid portrait of a young man sorting through a lot of conflicting thoughts and feelings. There’s ego and obsession, genuine affection and snarky dismissiveness, and layers of different sorts of fear overlapping with joy and a sincere desire to be vulnerable.

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