Eighty Ninety
If you’ve been following my music blog for a little while then you know that Eighty Ninety is one of my favorite pop duos. I’m super excited for them to release their debut album later this year, it is definitely a release you don’t want to miss. Today they’re revealing the first single off their upcoming album. It’s called “2 Carat” and it’s another brilliant record. One of their biggest strengths is their unique storytelling/songwriting and their ability to create those great productions.
It’s always a pleasure to get to talk to them and I hope you will enjoy our conversation !
Now let’s stream ”2 Carat” - available everywhere.
Hi guys, how are you? Your new single "2 Carat" is the first single of the year - what made you want to release it as the first single?
We're great, thanks! "2 Carat" is upbeat, nostalgic, and melancholy — in certain ways, the essence of what we do. But it also sets the stage for the direction we're taking with the album, which is an overall more organic sound. "2 Carat" serves as the midpoint of the record that thematically connects the two halves — so it just always felt like the place we wanted to start.
What's the story/inspiration behind this song? Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single?
"2 Carat" is about how we can put so much meaning into a person — really the idea of a person — sometimes as a way to avoid doing the difficult internal work of making yourself whole. Sometimes we fixate on someone else from the past to avoid looking at ourselves in the present. We wanted it to feel warm, human, ethereal but also grounded — so on this one we used as many real instruments in our studio (Harper played the drums and bass rather than programming, etc.) as possible to try and create that contrast.
What's your favorite lyric on "2 Carat"?
"I want to forget who I am / I just want a chance to start again".
What's your goal for this new single?
We hope it connects with the people who hear it — and that it gets them excited for the record.
You're getting ready to release your debut album this year - how does it feel like?
It feels great. In the way that the album used to be the primary way to release music, in the streaming era it now feels more like a creative choice than an inevitable first career milestone. We wanted a longer format to explore some corners of our music and ideas that might not make as much sense in the context of a single — and tell a larger story. We're genuinely excited about all the songs, but also about the story that they add up to when they're all together. We're hoping it's greater than the sum of its parts.
What can you tell us about this upcoming album?
We try to create a world with our music — characters, stories, sonic textures, that feel cohesive and imbued, almost with a feeling of magical-realism. This record feels like we're in a different world. One that's a little bit closer to the one we're actually living in. Sonically, thematically — it's more personal and grounded. It feels like, almost unintentionally, the production reflected that idea as we were creating the songs.
In your opinion, what makes a good album?
I think there are a few ways to approach a record — one is, just put the 10 best songs that stand on their own next to each other. Another is really taking into consideration the songs' relationships to each other and how they build to create a larger message, or more completely explore a theme. In the past we've really tried to make each song a full statement. While both are totally valid, with the space and opportunity to sequence in an album, we're trying to lean into that second approach.
Could you list a few records that are influencing the music you are making today?
We were excited and inspired when we heard The 1975's new record and felt like their organic, direct approach validated our process. Like "oh, we weren't the only ones who felt pulled in this direction." Bartees Strange is incredible - love the song "Heavy Hearts." Also love boygenius. There's a rawness happening in indie/alt music right now that we really resonate with.
What biggest lesson have you learned in 2022?
Follow what's fun.
What are your goals for 2023?
Releasing this album!
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