Singer/songwriter and producer Hayden Silas Anhedönia has released a brand new single from her upcoming project. The song, titled “Punish” talks about the pains of being in love or the pains that she endures in search of love.
“Punish” is the lead single from Hayden’s upcoming sophomore studio album ‘Perverts.’ When asked about the album, Hayden said the album is going to be “very cold, very bleak, and it’s gonna be fun. Maybe less punishing than Preacher’s Daughter is. It’ll appeal to a different audience.” Her previous project was ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ from 2022.
“Punish” is written and produced by Hayden herself. She also directed the 6-minute 40-second music video for the track, which captures the ominous yet sensuous elements of the lyrics of the song.
Listen to “Punish” by Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain “Punish” Lyrics Review and Song Meaning
In the first verse of the song, Ethel Cain tells us about the plague that pains her day and night. There’s something wrong with her, which she is yet to discover, and which she continues to entertain. She gets hurt every time, but there she goes again and again.
Taking whatever’s wrong with her to bed could mean that she is toying with her weaknesses while she is engaged in sexual activities with someone in bed. Maybe, her issues heighten when she is in bed with someone.
‘Little death’ is often used as a metaphor for an orgasm. Ethel refers to her little death as ‘poisonous and heavy.’ She is hooked on this poison at the same time killing her partners with her perversions. Maybe this is why she cannot keep a partner for long. Her passion burns too strong for others.
In the second verse of the song, Ethel continues about her suffering in passion. Come morning, she is burning again, but with guilt and shame this time. The fires of lust from the night before have turned to flames of wrath and shame upon which she has to walk now.
In the end of the verse, Ethel says that she was once an angel who has been cast away from it now. This hints that she has not always been this. Something or someone turned her into a sinner of carnal desires. Now she walks this earth looking for her next victim and flogging herself in the morning about the acts she commits.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the song on Genius.