Premiere: War And Whisky Balance Grief & Gratitude On “Hey, Thanks”
The greatest lessons are often those we never realize we’ve learned. They emerge from the natural trial and error of daily routines, the passing of time, or even the people we surround ourselves with, whether in youth or adulthood. These figures impart their wisdom without even knowing it, with many lessons only becoming clear years or decades later. Yet, despite the distance, their influence continues to shape and guide us, helping us carve out our own path in the world, equipped with the right tools and a steadfast heart.
Expressing gratitude to those quiet, formative figures–who influence us not through grand gestures but through their simple presence–can be a difficult task, but for electronic artist War And Whisky, it’s a challenge he’s met with heartfelt sincerity. In his new single, “Hey, Thanks,” he transforms his emotions into a sonic tribute, honoring the profound, enduring impact of a loved one. The track pulses with raw, transparent emotion and intricate layering, offering a deeply personal ode that will resonate with anyone navigating the complexities of grief. Set to release on Monday, November 25th, The Auricular is proud to premiere this evocative song, with an exclusive stream below as well as a closer examination of its emotional depth.
Amid an ever-shifting electronic soundscape–evolving from enigmatic digital whirring to piercing synthetic clarity–“Hey, Thanks” emerges as a multifaceted exploration of emotion, mirroring the unpredictable paths of grief and gratitude. “I can count three men who shaped my upbringing / And you were among them,” War And Whisky mastermind Caleb Anderson opens, his raw reverence and direct admiration cutting through the layered electronics with poignant sincerity. Grave in tone yet affectionate in origin, the track reflects on formative memories that fostered growth and progress, balancing humor (“You helped to get me going on my way / Cracking silly jokes with a bright face“) with wisdom (“And no hate / Is what you taught me, comedy for rage / Laugh at all my troubles; they’re in bad taste / Got to rip them off fast like a bandaid“).
The formative figure here is Anderson’s recently departed grandfather, with the entire song serving as a melodic tribute that holds universal resonance for anyone listening. The music itself creates a dynamic space, allowing Anderson to navigate the dense emotions tied to this loss. It evolves continually, never stagnating, building towering moments of sonic layering while also offering deeply intimate flourishes that land precisely on the right words to drive the meaning home. Most striking is the delivery Anderson takes with the vocal here, with the tone fitting in nicely with the detached delivery of 2000s electronica while still carrying enough passionate force to really make one pause while surveying the cybernated array.
“Hey, Thanks” marks War And Whisky’s first release since 2022’s No Expectations, a seven-track collection that aligns seamlessly with this new single’s darting electronic landscapes and introspective themes. Leading into the forthcoming 2025 EP titled Thanks For The Lesson, the track introduces a project poised to explore gratitude, growth, and humanity’s intricate imperfections through at least five more songs. Proudly embracing his self-described “artistically janky” ethos, War And Whisky offers a poignant reminder: while we often navigate life with customary stoicism or humorous self-deprecation as our shields, adding sincere gratitude to that toolkit could transform how we weather struggles. By learning to appreciate and articulate these moments, we can plant seeds of a lasting legacy–one of connection and shared lessons for generations to come.
“Hey, Thanks” is out everywhere on Monday, November 25th. To stay up-to-date on future releases from War And Whisky, make sure to follow them on social media.
