Gigi Perez released her new single “Fable” on Friday Oct. 25. Following the release of her viral song “Sailor Song” in July, Perez has captivated listeners with her alt-folk sound and heart-wrenching lyrics.
Perez, according to a statement she released, named “Fable” after the last song her late sister Celene sang. The song is a crushing acoustic ballad that shares themes of religion, grief and love, all intertwined.
Perez comments on those who believe in a specific divinity and offer prayers to those who are grieving. Lines like “Hedges of prayer / ‘Cause you believe doesn’t mean that / it’s there, it’s so rare” and “Thoughts and prayers was all they’d do” showcase Perez’s anger towards the responses that those who are religious offer towards those grieving.
Perez is able to beautifully capture the pain of grief that only she experiences for her sister, while also commenting on how religion has affected her grief.
A specific line in the song that has blown up over TikTok is when Perez sings, “Love was the law and religion was taught, / I’m not bought.” A specifically striking line, people have used it to tell of their experiences being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and getting affected by their loved one’s religious beliefs.
Although this is a common theme that Perez explores in her music, this line to me is Perez trying to rationalize the death of her sister and the afterlife by claiming that she loves her sister and that should be all that matters in reuniting them, regardless of religious belief.
The song ends with the repeating line, “I dream of eternal life” as the background plays a voice that is presumed to be her late sister. Perez wishes to have a life with her sister again as the song fades out.
Perez is able to beautifully capture the pain of grief that only she experiences for her sister, while also commenting on how religion has affected her grief. A beautiful song truly, and I hope to hear more from this artist.
5/5 stars
oparisi@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @gigi4perez, Instagram
