Ptolemaea by Ethel Cain
all things go series: ep 4 (special edition)
Hello once again to everyone, this week for the All Things Go series we have a special edition. I say we because this week’s review is not even written by me! It is written by my lovely friend Sofia!
She even tried to replicate my format which I think is awesome. So get ready for this week’s review. And like Sofia says, the sound shall be scooped!
Hayden Silas Anhedönia, who goes by the artist name Hayden Silas Anhedönia, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer from Tallahassee, Florida, is the eldest of four children in a Southern Baptist family, she has talked about how this affected her coming out as gay, and later as transgender and her leaving the church at the age of 16. Something interesting about her music is that because of her involvement in the church in her younger years, her music is said to influence Gregorian chants, having a cool mix with the Southern Gothic aesthetic. This ambiance creates a deep ambient and folk tone through the melody and often religious allusions or metaphors present in her lyricism.
She released her first EP, Carpet Bed, in September 2019, followed by Golden Age in December 2019. In 2021, she released her third EP, Inbred, which included the singles "Michelle Pfeiffer" and "Crush." Her debut album, “Preacher's Daughter”, came out in May 2022. She has also gained recognition for her live performances, including tours and festival appearances, and was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2024.
This week’s song is Ptolomea, released in May of 2022 is part of her first album “Preacher's Daughter”, which she describes as "a cautionary tale of what would happen if you don't free yourself."
Ptolemaea, like all of Cain’s songs, is slow and invites the reader to introspect on the deeper meaning of the lyrics. This primarily stems from her unique genre where she mixes folk, ambient, and alternative rock. This song has religious metaphors about Dante's Inferno, in which Ptolomea is the 9th circle, here, Isaiah invites Ethel in. The irony behind this is that this circle of hell is specifically designed to house those who betrayed their guests. He offers Ethel her due hospitality and welcomes her into his private space, only to take advantage of her loyalty by slaughtering her.
As Cain herself explains:
“It’s this all-American girl who crumbles under the weight of God and country. The American Dream is unachievable — being a perfect daughter, a perfect Christian, all of these weights that are put onto young American people are impossible. I like to think of this album as a cautionary tale of what would happen if you don’t free yourself from these imaginary chains, in terms of religion, family, and expectation.” Preachers Daughter is a wonderful album to listen to for a deep contemplative relaxing listening experience.
Favorite Verse
“You poor thing
Sweet, mourning lamb
There's nothing you can do
It's already been done”
I hope you enjoyed this different review! have a good week everyone!’
Until next time,
Sofia and Larissa
I enjoyed a lot!!