Conan Gray’s ‘The Best’ Captures The Bittersweet Struggle Of Moving On

Conan Gray’s new single ‘The Best’ is the first taste of ‘Wishbone (Deluxe)’. The track focuses on the aftermath of a breakup: the slow, uncomfortable process of letting go.
With the first verse starting delicately, his listeners get drawn into the gradual build-up of rage with the quickening tempo and growing volume of his vocals. It then slows back into that calmer flow of realisation, which hints at a reflective direction, where closure feels close but never fully. 
From the opening lines, the American singer-songwriter builds a sense of quiet nostalgia. “It was a bad time / Wouldn’t go back / But memories of good times / They really last” sets up the conflict straight away. There is no desire to relive the relationship, but the memories refuse to fade. Like much of his past work, the emotion sits in the details, with small images like “arms in your sweatshirt” and “mint chocolate ice cream”  grounding the song in something personal and specific.
The chorus - where the emotion settles in - holds lines around the theme of making peace with the situation. The lyrics here repeatedly point towards the desire for closure, the focus latching onto the need for silence away from the constant thoughts.  
“I’d take back the sh*t that I said” cuts through more directly. There is regret around how things escalated in the moment. He shifts the focus away from blame and hints at reflection and understanding - even if it still feels unresolved.
Other parts of the song detail how things have changed. The moment "by the window" stands out as one example. Gray perfectly captures that pause before leaving: something almost gets said but doesn’t.
The bridge brings in a bit of uncertainty. “Were we ever even friends?” contrasts with “I know you miss me now”. This mix of doubt and a need to believe the connection meant something highlights the push and pull usually felt during a breakup. 
'The Best' stands on the line that separates moving on from holding onto the past. The production stays minimal, giving space for the lyrics to lead. It points toward a more introspective direction in Conan Gray’s writing, setting the tone for what the 'Wishbone (Deluxe)' could explore.
Lily Howard
Image: ‘Wishbone (Deluxe)’ Official Album Cover


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