“The Toll of Unconditional Love is deeply inspired by my personal experiences, particularly the complex emotions surrounding relationships that have been marked by absence and abandonment,” says roman around about their new record, out today. “In this album, I delve into the emotional weight of maintaining unwavering love despite facing personal struggles and the challenges that come with it.” It might sound cliché, but The Toll of Unconditional Love is certainly the singer-songwriter’s most personal work to date, where they dare to be in a vulnerable state in front of those who’re willing to truly listen.
“How come you’re always right after you put on a show? / I’m putting up a fight but now I need to go / How come you’re always late? Walk alone in a store Pick me up, past eight / I need to go,” sings roman in Get It From You, the opening song of the album. This lyrics already show a sense of abandonment, of having to deal with people who need to get into arguments and always be right, which sets the tone for the rest of the record. The gritty electric guitar gallops and roman’s velvety voice also give it an emo-like, sad feeling to the song. There are other tracks that follow this languid mood, like In Your Head, or In a While, which leans more into indie with a stripped-back production (roman’s voice and a guitar, that’s mostly it).
A highlight of the album is Lexapro, a song that feels more grandiose than the rest thanks to the rich textures of the introductory cello, and the violins and piano on the background. However, the lyrics continue to unpack some of the adversities that roman has had to endure in the past: “Bottle of Lexapro / my parents just don't know / what I tried doing to myself / last night I went to bed/with too much left unsaid/you feel bad for me; I don’t know why.” Speaking openly about attempting to commit suicide, the artist lets their inner demons out in a cathartic way.
By the end of the record though, roman expresses their desire to get better, longing for connection with others. Especially in No One Else, which the artist defines as “my love song that speaks to my desire for personal connection amidst personal turmoil. I express that I don’t just expect perfection, but I’m willing to travel through the roughest tides with my loved one. I explore the comfort I’ve found in this close relationship during difficult times.”