Vin Peaks captures emotional whiplash with precision on “Hard 2 Be Me (Sometimes),” a track that feels like a post–Brat Summer comedown soundtracked by glittering synths and restless honesty. From the first beat, the song invites you onto the dance floor — not to escape your feelings, but to move through them. It’s a self-pity party set to a groove, and it works.
Sonically, the track leans into retro synth-pop textures that feel nostalgic without sounding dated. Bright, danceable production contrasts sharply with the song’s emotional weight, creating a push-and-pull between sadness and release. The beat is infectious, but there’s an undercurrent of melancholy that mirrors the slow descent into seasonal affective disorder — that familiar shift from summer euphoria to winter introspection. You can dance to it, but you’ll feel it in your chest while you do.
Lyrically and emotionally, “Hard 2 Be Me (Sometimes)” is disarmingly candid. Vin Peaks doesn’t romanticize the struggle; instead, he names it, owns it, and lets it exist in full view. The song reads like a moment of self-awareness mid-spiral — funny, heavy, and painfully relatable. That honesty gives the track its edge, turning self-pity into self-connection rather than self-indulgence.
Behind Vin Peaks is singer-songwriter Gavin Luke Ross, also known for his work with Scottish indie dream-poppers Terrafraid. This solo project pushes his sound further into synth-driven pop while centering stories of late-diagnosed autism, queer identity, and a deep love of nostalgia.
“Hard 2 Be Me (Sometimes)” is proof that dance music doesn’t have to be empty — it can hold complexity, humor, and hurt all at once. Play it loud, dance it out, and let yourself feel seen.
Written by Taylor Berry
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