Single Review: Whatever’s Left by Melanie Herrera
Written by Shannon Dutra
New York-based singer-songwriter Melanie Herrera has released her latest single, Whatever’s Left.
Much like a storybook, the track opens with gentle, languid vocals before breaking into beautiful, crisp harmonies.
Whatever’s Left is a track full of moving lyrics. “Grass is greener, and in this case, it’s hard not to think they should have stayed,” highlights how the present can show us the wrongdoings of the past. As humans, we all learn from mistakes, and that is what the track is telling us so that we can remember. This line also reminds us that life will have us envying other people, thinking they have it better when in reality, it’s not the case.
Near the track’s 40-second mark, the track swells into something more emotive. It also brings in more harmonies and percussion. By the one-minute mark, the harmonies swell even further, bringing the track into something even more angelic-sounding. Don’t let the angelic sound fool you; thematically, the track tackles some tough topics.
Before the single’s release, Herrera took to social media to explore more about the song: “I wanted to write a song to help children of divorce feel seen. It’s no easy thing to dive into, and I debated sharing the inspiration for this song at all.”
“I guess I’ll keep whatever’s left” is another line from the track that many listeners will also relate to. Even when there’s nothing, there’s always something we can hold on to. Hope is a feeling; it’s invisible, but it is sometimes the only thing that keeps us going.
The second verse introduces more instruments. While this feels a little busy at times, it is still effective against lyrics like “What can we do when the colors bleed?” and “It’s just one of those things that happens when the world is broken.”
Overall, with tracks like Whatever’s Left, Herrera stands as a fresh new voice, creating her own version of indie pop. With tracks like this one, Herrera knows how to create tracks with effective, layered lyricism you can hold on to.
