One of the main themes is emotional pain. The opening verse begins with “Tissues on the floor, I know a thing about it / I been there before, too many times for counting”, portraying the heartache and misery caused when a relationship comes to an end. Through these lyrics, the song presents heartbreak as a personal experience whilst highlighting the difficulty of letting go of someone who caused harm. 

This struggle to move on is seen again in the stuttering echo that can be heard throughout. The constant use of “Unlove you, u-u-u-unlove you”, as well as having it open and close the song, expresses the desire to remove her feelings for this person that she once loved, yet the repetition makes the listener understand the difficulty of it, as if she is trying to remind herself. 

As the song continues, there is this sense of reclaiming self-respect. “You so quick to tell me shit I need / Always on some dumb tip like I need to find me” suggests the other person was constantly telling her what to do. The use of dismissive language shows the speaker rejecting this, making it known that she does not need someone else to tell her who she is. Being able to realise this, although still stuck loving them for some reason, she is able to see their faults. 

The production immediately stood out and is one of the most interesting aspects of the track. Unlike their usual synth-heavy, dance-driven tracks, it has a melancholic, almost acoustic foundation with layered vocals and complex harmonies. The composition consists mainly of a soft piano, and the subdued pacing makes it conversational, which adds to the reflective sadness and personal note of the song. 

KATSEYE’s ability to move between slower songs with deeper meanings and upbeat, pop anthems is admirable. With ‘Unloveu’, fans have seen a different side to the band - one full of emotional honesty and relatability.

Lily Howard

@lilytalksmedia

Image: ‘Unloveu’ Official Single Cover