Earrings

Earrings serves as a candid exploration of the paralysis that often accompanies modern heartbreak and the 'situationship' dynamic. At its core, the song addresses the anxiety of communication and the fear of vulnerability.

The Symbolism of the Lost Earrings: The central conflict arises from the protagonist losing his earrings in his lover's bed. In many relationships, leaving an item behind is a subconscious way to ensure a future meeting—a 'return ticket.' However, here it becomes a source of anxiety. He couldn't tell her he lost them because he is 'scared.' This suggests that the earrings are less about the jewelry itself and more about the excuse they provide to reach out, an excuse he is too terrified to utilize.

Procrastination and Drifting: The lyrics 'So you think of what to say / Then save it for another day' highlight the tendency to delay difficult conversations. The song illustrates how silence is an active force that pushes people 'further apart.' By not speaking, the distance grows until it is unbridgeable.

Meta-Commentary on Art and Emotion: The refrain 'Mac is in his feelings and he can't get out of it' is a self-referential moment where Malcolm Todd acknowledges his reputation for writing sad, emotional music. The phrase 'Extra, extra' likens his heartbreak to a headline, suggesting he feels his pain is performative or publicly consumed, yet he remains personally stuck in the cycle of sadness.

The narrative centers on a protagonist—specifically identified as the artist himself, 'Mac'—who is grappling with the lingering aftermath of a romantic encounter. The story begins with the realization that he has left a personal item, his earrings, in the bed of a former lover. This physical object serves as a tether to the past relationship, creating an internal conflict.

Instead of reaching out to retrieve the lost items, which would require initiating contact and facing potential rejection or awkwardness, the protagonist freezes. He is paralyzed by fear and an inability to communicate effectively. He rehearses what he might say to her, formulating potential conversations in his mind, but ultimately procrastinates, deciding to 'save it for another day.' This hesitation is not without consequence; the lyrics describe how this lack of action causes the two individuals to drift further apart, solidifying their separation.

The song's bridge shifts into a meta-commentary on the artist's emotional state. Using the newsboy cry of 'Extra, extra, read all about it,' the narrative voice mocks the protagonist's public spiraling. It acknowledges that 'Mac is in his feelings' and is trapped in a loop of sadness and overthinking that he cannot escape, broadcasting his internal turmoil while remaining unable to fix the root cause of his distress.

Release and Context: 'Earrings' was released on April 5, 2024, as the opening track to Malcolm Todd's mixtape, Sweet Boy. The song was first teased by the artist in October 2023, building anticipation among his fanbase before its official drop. It was released via Columbia Records.

Inspiration and Writing: Malcolm Todd has described the song as the 'perfect intro' to the Sweet Boy mixtape, which he explicitly categorizes as a 'heartbreak mixtape.' He stated in press releases that the song 'walks through my brain as I try to reach out to someone I've lost connection with.' The track was born out of a specific period of emotional turbulence and reflects his real-life struggles with communication in relationships.

Production: The track was produced by Malcolm Hobert (Malcolm Todd) and Charlie Ziman. It features the artist's signature blend of groovy basslines and intricate vocal layering, a sound he honed while studying music production at the University of Oregon and working part-time jobs before his viral success.

Rhyme Scheme: The chorus follows a tight AABB rhyme scheme (head/bed, 'em/talking) followed by CCDD (say/day, heart/apart). This simple, nursery-rhyme-like structure contrasts with the complex emotional content, giving the song a catchy, inevitable flow that mimics the repetitive nature of obsessive thoughts.

Rhythm and Groove: The song is set in a moderate 4/4 time signature with a laid-back, syncopated groove characteristic of alternative R&B. The phrasing of the lyrics is rhythmic and percussive, often landing slightly behind the beat to create a relaxed, 'slacker' feel that belies the anxiety of the text. The interplay between the punchy bass and the smooth vocal delivery drives the song's momentum, ensuring it feels like a danceable track despite the sad subject matter.

Narrative Perspective Shift: The song employs a shift in pronouns that creates a unique psychological distance. The verses address 'You' ('You lost your earrings'), suggesting the artist is talking to himself in the mirror, critiquing his own cowardice. The refrain switches to the third person ('Mac is in his feelings'), turning the artist into a character in his own story, emphasizing a sense of dissociation from his pain.

Musical Juxtaposition: A hallmark of Todd's style, the track pairs melancholic, anxious lyrics with a buoyant, groovy instrumental. The bassline is infectious and the rhythm is head-nodding, creating a 'sad bop' aesthetic that mirrors the attempt to keep up a cool exterior while internalizing panic.

Vocal Layering: Todd utilizes thick, harmonic vocal stacks, particularly in the chorus and bridge. This technique, influenced by artists like Steve Lacy, creates a lush, immersive soundscape that represents the overwhelming nature of the thoughts 'in his head.'

Viral Success: As with many of Malcolm Todd's tracks, 'Earrings' found significant traction on TikTok, where users related to the 'sad but groovy' vibe and the specific relatable scenario of leaving items at an ex's place. The line 'Mac is in his feelings' became a popular soundbite for users to express their own emotional spirals.

Mixtape Significance: As the opening track of Sweet Boy, it set the tone for Todd's first major body of work, helping to cement his status as a rising star in the bedroom pop and alternative R&B scenes. The successful 'Sweet Boy' tour, which sold out venues across North America, heavily featured this track as a fan favorite, often eliciting singalongs to the self-referential 'Mac' lines.

The Earrings: The title object represents a fragment of the self left behind. Unlike a sweater or a book, earrings are intimate, body-worn accessories. Losing them in 'her bed' implies a deep level of physical intimacy and vulnerability. Their loss symbolizes that a part of him remains with her, and his inability to retrieve them mirrors his inability to reclaim his emotional wholeness.

'Extra, Extra, Read All About It': This old-fashioned newsboy call serves as a metaphor for the commodification of heartbreak. It suggests that his personal pain has become public news or a spectacle. It highlights the irony of a musician whose career is built on sharing private feelings with the world ('read all about it') while being unable to communicate those same feelings to the one person who matters.

Drifting: The spatial metaphor of 'drifting further apart' visualizes the relationship not as a sudden break, but as a slow, passive separation caused by the lack of active effort to maintain connection.

'From you, oh': This phrase acts as a bridge, repeated like a mantra. It emphasizes the source of the distance and the object of his longing. The elongation of 'oh' serves as a melodic sigh, releasing the tension built up in the verses.

'Mac is in his feelings...': This hook is the song's emotional thesis. Its repetition drives home the inescapability of his state. By referring to himself as 'Mac,' he creates a catchy, meme-able motif that fans can latch onto, simultaneously personalizing and branding his sadness.

'Can't get out of it': Repeated at the end, this phrase reinforces the feeling of being trapped. Musically, the repetition creates a loop effect, simulating the mental spiral of anxiety.