In a new single that feels nice and bared, titled “Forsaker,” Etherdene draws back the curtain on the quiet pain and final empowerment of leaving. The track feels like an important moment in the rising artist’s evolution, blending exposure and vitality in a way that feels both intimate and anthemic.
Born of the emotional fallout from the dissolution of a professional collaboration she once treasured, "Forsaker" doesn’t avoid the sting of parting ways. "Forsaker" is not a pity party. It’s a cathartic expulsion underpinned by propulsive rhythms and purposeful production. Etherdene polished the track until it shone with the aid of her Grammy-nominated mixing engineer, Martin Cooke. It wasn’t until Warren van Wyk actually tracked some live drums that the song really pushed it into the stratosphere. Etherdene herself calls the drums “magic,” and she isn’t wrong. They thrum with urgency, granting "Forsaker" the emotional heft of a battle cry.
What distinguishes this release is its emotional duality. It’s a song about quitting and giving yourself permission to look ahead. Etherdene does not only grieve the loss, she also rejoices in the freedom that exists on the other side. That rare combination of honesty and optimism renders it, not just relatable, but quietly revolutionary.
In this release, Etherdene proves she is an artist, unafraid to show her scars, for she understands the beauty is in the scars. "Forsaker" is a manifesto and also a soundtrack for anyone who’s ever battled the disquiet of hanging on too long and the complicating elegance of, at long last, choosing yourself.