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Pop songstress Gatlin has never been one to hide her feelings. Her previous singles of 2025, “If She Was A Boy” and “Jesus Christ and Country Clubs” candidly detailed her experiences growing up queer in her conservative Florida hometown. In her latest singles, “Pipe Dream” and “Happy,” Gatlin is focusing on her doubts and depression.  

“Pipe Dream” finds Gatlin as the sole writer, performer, and producer. The vulnerable track is a blunt reflection on her career so far, and all the uncertainties that come with being an emerging artist. “I had hit a point in my career where I was comparing everything to the success of my song “What If I Love You” (her highest-streaming song). Nothing was even coming close to touching it and my value and worth as a creative was very tied up in that,” Gatlin shared. “It’s a song where I’m just looking at my life and realizing I’ve put all my eggs in this music basket... and what happens if all of this doesn’t work out.” Even though Gatlin is still in her 20s, in the pre chorus and chorus she wonders “Am I getting too old? / To be smoking from my / Pipe dream / It was cute when I was just about / Eighteen / Now it’s killing from the inside out.” An instrumentation of sparkling synths and bass underscores the lyrics, staying mellow throughout the single allowing the lyrics to shine 

“Happy” is a candid look at Gatlin’s depression and the irrational thoughts that came with it. Speaking on the song she shared, “I started writing this song a couple years ago about my depression. It started when I was talking about how I would sometimes daydream about ending up in the hospital so then this guy I liked would come visit me and realize he was desperately in love with me - and also would remember to text me back. Peak of delusion!!! Yeah, this song is just about good ole depression.” The chorus of the song puts Gatlin’s depression front and center as she sings “Nothing makes me happy anymore / I’m watching TV, can you shut the door / I’ve tried everything that worked before / I’m telling you something is off / Cause nothing makes me happy.” Gatlin highlights the higher end of her range as she sings these words and there’s a slight edge of panic in her voice; She knows that something is wrong but doesn’t know how to fix it. The accompanying instrumentation, full of acoustic guitar, drums, and keys, is gentle and soft, once again allowing Gatlin’s vocals and lyrics to be the main focus.  

Both “Pipe Dream” and “Happy” are featured on the tracklist for Gatlin’s upcoming debut album, The Eldest Daughter, set for release on October 3rd.