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Fresh off the success of his 2020 LP One Second of One Day, teen-pop heartthrob Gunnar Gehl is back this week with his newest single "Dance Alone." Since his debut in 2018, Gunnar Gehl has gradually amassed an enormous following, had his first hit with 2020's "For Your Love," and even signed to legendary music executive Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, J Balvin). Despite his massive success, "Dance Alone" sees Gunnar Gehl taking a step back with a soulful and minimalistic piano ballad detailing the struggles following a difficult break-up.

"Dance Alone" is a powerful and heart-wrenching expression of powerlessness from the Southern California singer. Decorated with delicate piano melodies and melancholic strings, Gehl details the pain of having to move on before he's ready with lyrics like "The only reason I was late to the party / Is I'm afraid to see you with somebody else." On the subject of the song’s dejected narrative, he reflects that "Dance Alone" is about more than just the pain of moving on, but also "not wanting to see the person you love, happy with someone else...no matter how selfish it is." Within the selfishness of this desire lies a much more covert fear of powerlessness and the ephemeral nature of love. Captive to his honest emotions, "Dance Alone" serves as Gunnar Gehl''s emotional catharsis as well as his potential breakout hit.

Gunnar Gehl's talent for songwriting and rare candor may have produced something that is too relatable for its own good. Though I know it may not be doing me any favors, “Dance Alone” is currently sitting in my late-night-drive playlist and frankly, I have no regrets.