Music

As Written, Vol. 2: Avery Lynch Delivers Her Most Honest and Intimate Work Yet

16 September

I listened to the nine tracks on Avery Lynch’s As Written, Vol. 2 and felt like I was intruding on an extremely private moment. Each song felt like an intimate window into her soul, offering a raw and heartfelt portrayal that’s almost too personal to share. The EP, with its soft ballads and touching lyrics, provides listeners with a deeply honest glimpse into Avery’s emotions.

Avery herself, describes the record as her most raw and intimate, “My ‘As Written’ projects are where I get to re-record some of my favorite songs from past works exactly as they were written, This project also allows me to present my music in the raw, intimate format that first resonated with listeners.” She adds, “The first ‘As Written’ is a fan favorite and I feel like, this second volume shows so much growth from the first, so I’m so excited for everyone to hear it. It’s been the hardest secret to keep over the last year and I’m so proud of it!“

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Avery’s foray into music began at the tender age of seven with piano lessons, soon followed by songwriting. Today, her music is defined by its soft, romantic vocals and the raw, emotional quality of her piano work. Describing herself as a “happy girl filled with sad songs,” Lynch crafts her music with a deep sense of storytelling, drawing from her personal experiences and observations.

Let’s break down the standout tracks from As Written, Vol. 2 and explore the emotional depth that makes the EP so compelling:

“Kids Table”

On ‘Kids Table,’ Avery reflects on the trials of adulthood and the disillusionment of growing. With lyrics like: “22 is stupid, confusing, and messed up / Between clueless and trying and grown up / Some of my friends they still act like they’re kids and / Some of them have ’em / I’m sort of mostly fully independent / But my mom still makes all my appointments / Lately I haven’t been sure where I’m supposed to fit in” Avery captures the feeling of never quite fitting in, and the struggle of coming to terms with adulthood, embodying the sense of not quite growing up, even as age progresses.

“Obvious”

In ‘Obvious,’ Lynch navigates the confusion of recognising past feelings and the regret of missed opportunities, as she sings, “But memories feel different / When you’re in them, I don’t get it / So what were we / ‘Cause everybody says that there was something clearly happening / So why then did it take me this long to believe it” The song addresses the realization that something meaningful was happening all along, even if it was not immediately apparent.

“You’re Just a Guy”

My personal favourite, ‘You’re just a guy,’ explores the dynamics of fleeting romantic connections with candid lyrics: “I could’ve sworn when you looked at me / You must’ve felt it / ‘Cause I did / But I built it up in my mind / When you’re just a guy who gave me some attention / Just stars in your eyes / Nothing to glorify” Here, she reflects on the nature of romantic expectations and the reality of someone who seemed special but was ultimately just another person in her life.

“Feed the Fire”

“Feed the Fire” explores the idea of seeking revenge and hoping for an ex to move on, with raw lyrics like, “This is all starting to be so unbearable/ I’m tired of playing it cool/ Just leave me alone, all I did is move on/ And sometimes it feels like it would’ve been better/ If I stooped as low, gave you hell like you want/ Did I feed the fire by having enough ’cause No one warned me that some/ People need to get back what they give to move on” The track grapples with the aftermath of a relationship and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it.

“When It Ends”

The most soul-baring track on the EP, “When It Ends” captures the pain of ending a relationship with lyrics that speak to the hurt of parting ways: “I guess we’ve come to realize/ That just because we want it doesn’t mean it’s right/ But selfishly I wanna try/ I don’t want all I have of you just memorised/ How did you do this to me/ You’re the only someone I wanna keep” This song encapsulates the heartache and emotional struggle of letting go.

“Friction”

‘Friction’ directly addresses the challenges and complexities inherent in romantic relationships with lyrics that explore the highs and lows of a relationship: “We’re supposed to make it all stop, But I don’t wanna say we’re friends then/ Lose touch just to end up wondering how we’ve been, And then We’re just supposed to find someone/ Who has exactly what we did, Without the friction/ Hands too full from holding baggage/ Problems that we had just kept piling on, Now we’re neck deep in all our messes/ Standing on the fence ’bout where we went wrong” Referencing how messy relationships can get, and how we hope to find similar people sometimes just without the baggage of our previous partners.

“Look What You Made Me Do”

Avery examines the impact of people’s actions and inactions on a relationship’s demise on ‘Look What You Made Me Do:’ with lines like, “I wanna hate you, but the truth is/ I wish you didn’t hurt me, ’cause I miss you/ But you did, Now I’m just supposed to always hate you/ But I liked you around/ You made me laugh, you always did, I wish. I could’ve had more of a say in this/ Look what you did.” This track probes into the bittersweet feelings of wanting to move on while still being emotionally tethered to the past.

“Love You Like That”

The most tender declaration of unconditional love and acceptance, “Love You Like That” cuts through with the sweetest words “And you saw your world where I stood/ Made plans I knew I never could/ And you gave so much more/ That I owe you, But I really wanted to love you like that/ I’d fold up my hopes so they’d fit in your space “ The song expresses the immense desire to love someone with all their flaws and pain and scars, but you still love them regardless

“Somebody New”

On the final track on the EP, Avery pleads not to be asked to love someone new despite knowing there might be someone better: “But I don’t wanna love somebody new / ‘Cause I don’t think I’d be able to / I’d try if you asked but please don’t ask me to” The song is a heartfelt admission of reluctance to move on from a past love.

Since making her debut in 2020, Avery has carved out a space in the music industry with her deeply personal and emotive style. With over 100 million streams and a new deal with RECORDS, she’s not just riding the wave of past success but truly defining her own path. As Written, Vol. 2 offers a raw and intimate record that resonates on a profoundly emotional level. Each track revealing the complexities of love, loss, and personal growth with an honesty that is both refreshing and compelling.

Listen to Avery Lynch’s EP ‘As Written Vol 2