‘When The Sun Sets’ - An Ode To Saying Goodbye To What Was Once Beautiful

Sunsets. Vibrant streaks of fire strewn across the sky’s canvas. Ever unique, never lasting; sunsets have become a global symbol of mother nature’s magical beauty. And whilst they have proven one of the universe’s greatest phenomenons, they are also symbolic of the day’s closing, a juxtaposing aspect Shawn Maine (he/him) seems to understand quite intimately. 

Shawn’s love of sunsets emanated from his frequent journeys to and from school on the shuttle; gazing out of the window provided him with a moment of stillness, allowing him to ponder on the world, appreciate its grandeur. To look inward. It was therefore only natural to use this marvel, with a great deal of personal sentiment, as a metaphor to describe the wilted relationships that once blossomed.

Throughout his latest project, 'When The Sun Sets' ,Shawn navigates the heartbreak that accompanies deep betrayal, choosing to be candid and transparent about the pain it wrought, a feat that is often unforeseen of black men. In this way he subverts expectations, insisting that it is crucial his art remain authentic so that it may cater to a demographic that is socialised to take up roles that do not allow for vulnerability and emotional openness. Shawn describes his EP as a tender message for black men undergoing romantic hardships, affirming the significance of allowing oneself to weather through difficult emotions because as sure as the sun rises and falls, the tunnel is always followed by the light.

‘When The Sun Sets’ opens with the poignant track ‘These Dreams’ whose lyrical content serves as a direct reflection of the EP title as Shawn reiterates that it is “time to say goodbye” as he reminisces about the beauty that once held this soiled romance. This detail diverges from his prior project ‘After The Pain’ which delves into the subject matter of unrequited love and follows Shawn on his journey to capture the heart of a woman who does not share his sentiments. In this fashion, Shawn explores the distinct facets of heartbreak, as seen through neglect and later betrayal, the only contrast being his resolve to withdraw from the person that is hurting him.

This motif of letting go is followed through in ‘Can’t Be Mine’ where Shawn reflects on the myriad of times his love was rejected and his feelings unaccounted for. The cyclical nature of grief is particularly salient here as Shawn once again laments the relationship whilst expounding on all the moments “he held [her] time and time again”, thus investing in a person whose sole concern was to reap the care that he sowed. Consequently, Shawn finds himself stuck in a harmful cycle of manipulation, wherein the relationship’s functionality relies on his servitude and preys on his feelings of inferiority. Still, glimmers of hope appear towards the completion of the song, as Shawn repeatedly acknowledges that the woman he desires “can’t be [his]”, implying that he may be able to break away from this cycle and eventually divest from the toxicity that presents itself as a struggle relationship.

As an artist that dabbles in the alternative R&B and pop genre, styles often associated with intimacy and connection, Shawn discusses the significance of love in guiding his actions and his artistry, emphasising the weighty role it has played throughout his life. Being the youngest of seven, Shawn spent much of his childhood consuming music that his siblings enjoyed, artists such as Whitney Houston and Jill Scott reverberated throughout the house, holding him, teaching him to look at things through the lens of love. So naturally, he was drawn to creating out of a space where love is centered, and in exploring its dichotomic nature, found that he similarly resonated with the pain that accompanied it, finding that vulnerability served as the key to true expression and creativity.

Whilst the aforementioned songs implement a somber feel, 'Resentment' starts off on a joyful note, the upbeat production employing percussion and brass instruments to accompany Shawn’s rich voice as he releases any delusions he may have held regarding this relationship. He concedes that the woman he loves clearly “resents him”, showcasing an increased level of awareness that is often necessary in the process of extracting oneself from a toxic situation. Shawn then emphasises that he doesn’t “want to cry” instead looking to simply “live his life”, further implying his realisation that he is unhappy in this relationship and craves the peace that evades him when he is with her. In this way, he seemingly takes off the rose coloured glasses and is finally seeing this partnership for what it truly is — bleak.

‘Tina’ serves as the final song on this EP, taking on a similarly sanguine note as its forerunner, and gradually amassing the most popularity in Shawn’s discography. Employing Ugandan sensation Joshua Baraka as this jovial track’s collaborator, ‘Tina’ documents the final stage in the cessation of a toxic relationship and that is full acceptance of one’s situation. Both Ugandan singers acknowledge the damage that “Tina” has caused and confront her manipulative ways, foreboding the consequences she will eventually face for her deplorable actions. Shawn and Joshua both instruct Tina not to “switch up when [they] pull up in a beamer” as they “won’t be [hers] no more”, a characteristic that is usually notorious of abusive partners who tend to show up once things are looking favourable for their victims. Shawn’s decision to completely divest from this relationship underlines the development he has undergone throughout the project, choosing to invest the love he had for Tina, in himself instead.

Whilst narrating stories about pain and heartbreak has proven cathartic, Shawn has reached the point in his musical journey where he is ready to sing about joyful experiences and create projects that are reflective of the radiance he is surrounded with. “I’m in a better place now, I love myself more, I am no longer the broken person that I was”, Shawn confides, recognising his EP as a healing balm, one that he will surely revisit, perhaps even borrow from, from time to time. But for now he intends to steer away from grief, put his heart at ease and immerse himself in all that is cheerful and sunny.