It’s been a long and winding journey for George Lewis’ Twin Shadow project over the past 15 years. Lewis arrived on the scene in the late 2000s as a primary figure within the chillwave movement before expanding into full-blown new wave on 2012’s Confess, followed by a string of major-label releases paying homage to the New Romantic movement. In 2021 he came full circle with a self-released, self-titled record that welcomed chillwave back into the formula, which has paved the way for the stripped-back instrumentation and honest balladry of his newly released sixth album, Georgie.
Named in dedication to his father who passed away as the record was in development rather than after himself, the album reflects on finally accepting the end of one chapter and welcoming the next one. Much in the same way the familiar bombast of past records is swapped out for minimalist alt-R&B on Georgie, the emotive core of the record comes from moving on from old relationships. “The whole record, in a way, is about waking up from numbness,” he shares, before later noting that “the pain of knowing something is finished, and no talking, planning, or scheming will make it any better” serves as another major theme.
With Georgie out today via Dom Recs, Lewis takes us deeper into the transitory state of each of these songs in the track-by-track breakdown below. Stream along and order the record here.
1. “Totally Blue”
I find it harder than ever—with so much information in our faces and words on words bombarding us all the time—to simply say to someone my heart is open and have them believe it. This song is an attempt. The whole record, in a way, is about waking up from numbness.
2. “Good Times”
It took me too long to realize that masks aren’t just something we wear to hide from the world—they’re how we push through, forge new paths, and stay strong for each other while protecting our fragile selves. Masked heroes have always fascinated me, and I think they captivate all of us—the seemingly selfless acts of heroism contrasted with the deep selfishness of guarding their innermost selves. Isn’t that just like real people? Sometimes both sides can be terrifying. “Good Times” is about dealing with someone who’s all mask when things are good, but nowhere to be found when you need them most.
3. “As Soon As You Can”
A time is passing, a relationship is ending—you can feel it. You want the person to just say how they really feel and get it over with. You want to share a common truth, no matter how bad it hurts.
4. “Funny Games”
Written for a friend who was getting the runaround by some fool. I always loved the Prefab Sprout song “Johnny Johnny” as a concept—an advice column song [laughs].
5. “Geor(g.i.e.)”
The way someone's love can just crush everything you think you are. You just have to set aside your bullshit and let it in.
6. “You Already Know”
Another theme on this record is the pain of knowing something is finished, and no talking, planning, or scheming will make it any better. I think most of the time, we all know what’s up; we just don’t want to listen.
7. “Maybe It’s Time”
I’m allergic to jealousy, but I’ve found that it’s more important in relationships than I thought. Rather than running away from those feelings, maybe there’s something more noble within.
8. “Emily”
We all get haunted.
9. “Permanent Feeling”
I think, as messed up as we all are, we’re still searching for any type of permanence—any proof that we’re here, proof that we can remain, and proof that we were loved. “Permanent Feeling” is a song about trust and that defining moment when someone gives you the sense that they’ll be in your life for a long time—if not forever. For the music video, I took the idea of permanence to a literal extreme. Who are the permanent people? Who gives permanent feelings? Vampires do. With two bites, they give the gift of foreverness.
10. “Headless Hero”
I had two significant father figures in my life, both of whom are now gone. Growing up in a house with a strong mother and three sisters alongside another family with three sisters, my relationship with outside masculine energy has always been complicated. This song reflects on my deep connection with these men, for better and for worse. My father went by “George,” but his heart was “Georgie.” This album is dedicated to him.
11. “Hide It in Attraction”
A younger me was often obsessed only with the push and pull of simple attraction, glossing over some of the nuance. I guess this song questions what all the elements of attraction are; it also deals with my own insecurities as to whether I’m “real enough” to be loved in the deepest way by anyone.
