Ashe and Suki Waterhouse Dive Into Existential Psychedelia in “Pushing Daisies”
Photo: Luke Rogers
Less than two months after the release of both Ashe and Suki Waterhouse’s latest albums—Willson and Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, respectively—the pair have unveiled “Pushing Daisies,” an addictive, unique, charmingly psychedelic duet.
In a series of candid interviews, Ashe shared that Suki, a longtime friend, played a significant role in helping her get back into songwriting during a hiatus, a journey that ultimately started with “Pushing Daisies” and ended with the creation of Willson. Ashe’s internal monologue in a time of uncertainty seeps into the song through what she defines as her “existential dread.” “Pushing Daisies” carries an ironic weight, referring to an idiom that signifies being dead and buried, a theme that the lyrics continuously reinforce. “She might be out to kill me and I'm afraid / I might be pushing daisies,” she sings, undeniably telling a story while retaining an air of mystery. Who is “she” referring to? Despite letting listeners become familiar with the idea of her, the duo never tells.
Insomnia, another feeling referenced throughout the song, proves that the lack of clarity is intentional. “I think we were both slightly dazed from our respective worlds,” Suki explains, and if there’s a word to describe “Pushing Daisies,” it’s just that—dazed. This sense of disorientation adds depth to the song and allows for the melancholic lyrics—“I’ve got nowhere left to run”—to feel dream-like and sonically align with the bright imagery of daisies.
In a world obsessed with bridges, it’s refreshing that the stand-out moment of the song is undeniably the chorus. The flawless blend of the pair’s voices truly gets its moment while allowing the quirky nature of the melody to shine and effectively convey the full spectrum of their feelings—an exhilarating mix of introspection, vulnerability, and delirium.
Listen to "Pushing Daisies" below:
