There’s a certain kind of partnership that starts out like a slow dance, smooth and in sync. But somewhere along the line, the rhythm changes, and what once felt like harmony turns into a grind. It’s that gnawing feeling in your gut, like something’s rotting from the inside out. You go through the motions, still holding onto the idea of what you once had, but every step feels heavier, every word more forced. The connection that used to spark with life now feels like a chain, each link tightening around your chest, making it harder to breathe.
You keep it up, pretending everything’s fine, but deep down, you know it’s all unraveling. The resentment, the bitterness, they build up, little by little, like poison seeping into your veins. You’re trapped in a cycle, torn between the memory of what was and the harsh reality of what is. And the worst part? You’re not sure which is worse—staying in this mess or facing the emptiness that comes with walking away.
This feeling shines through loud and clear in Leave, the second single from Raudiver’s upcoming debut record titled Leave Before Dark. Raudiver, comprised of Lauren Villarreal Eddy and Charlie Don’t, composed a danceable shoegaze track about a toxic relationship where the bond brings more pain than joy. The singer urges their partner to leave if they truly care, seeking a love that is nurturing and gentle instead of destructive. There’s a plea for freedom and a desire to escape the suffering, emphasizing the need to find a healthier, more fulfilling connection.
“This song is the most optimistic and determined of the record,” says Eddy. “To me, it encourages you to escape unhealthy situations, whether it’s a toxic workplace– or a relationship, or a project, because our time is limited and there’s a big world out there. I feel like every time I’ve left a situation like that, I’ve found something better. I believe in working things out when you can and honoring commitments, but when something is destroying you, there is a limit and you know what you need to do.”
In the George Tripsas-directed video for Leave, a Scooby-Doo style sheet ghost drifts through the band’s living room performance, a spectral stand-in for the past. It hovers in the background, a silent reminder of the things you thought you’d left behind but still cling to you like a stubborn shadow. The ghost isn’t flashy—it’s a subtle, steady presence, much like the regrets and memories it represents, always lurking, never quite leaving, and adding a layer of haunting humour.
Watch the video for “Leave” below:
Named after spectral whispers, Raudiver weaves a winding trail through goth pop and darkwave, with ethereal vocals drifting over hazy shoegaze textures, all anchored by hand-programmed beats that pulse like a heartbeat in the dark. The music feels like it’s been pulled from the depths of a forgotten dream, each note wrapped in a shroud of mystery. There’s a haunting quality to the way Raudiver blends the delicate with the dark, where the ethereal meets the eerie.
Listen to Leave below and order here.
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