Reasons Why We Needed Gus Dapperton’s ‘Post Humorous’
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER on Unsplash
Gus Dapperton never ceases to amaze me with his music. Ever since he went viral in Benee’s hit ‘Supalonely,’ I’ve been captivated with his vibrant aesthetic, soft vocals and poetic lyrics. He’s somewhere at the intersection of indie and synth-pop, breaking down barriers and giving us a flair I didn’t even know I was looking for.
Some of my top picks of his is ‘My Favorite Fish,’ ‘Prune, You Talk Funny,’ and ‘Coax & Botany,’ but his newest release is probably one of his greatest creations. Before publishing the song, Dapperton took to his Instagram to tell his fans this song was his pride and joy, and the work that he invested shows.
“This song in particular is about someone who treats life like a joke and death like a victory and the unstoppable forces around them,” Dapperton said after it debuted, “I don’t always make music to heal my own wounds, but when I’m able to do so and reflect on those feelings it’s a really gratifying feeling.”
The lyrics “so make me laugh / as for my last request,” envelope the whole song’s attitude -- life is short. The way it begins with gentle strumming of a guitar, followed by Dapperton’s silvery voice, and slowly escalates to an upbeat melody mirrors the ups and downs of life in a beautifully cathartic way. Tunes that are both happy and melancholy always give me an odd, nostalgic sense of peace and that’s exactly what he accomplishes here.
Additionally, what I love about his music is I’m never quite certain about the exact subject matter of his songs. I’ve searched the internet to find out the inspiration behind ‘Post Humorous’ and have seen mixed answers, even from the artist himself (death in early childhood? Battling with one’s demons? Depression?) I like that Dapperton offers his own insight into the song, but it could still be interpreted differently from person to person, which for me, is the sign of a true work of art.
Finally, Dapperton’s video to accompany this track is my favorite aspect of this piece. It features artists from around the world -- including his own sister Ruby Amadelle, Benee, The Junior Varsity, skater Erik Arteaga and many more. The video makes you feel like everyone is coming together to support a friend, even in times of quarantine. Each clip is shot from a selfie perspective, with some dancing, some driving around in their cars and others lounging about at home. As one user worded it in the comments of the YouTube video, “Gus is the rainbow in the middle of the storm.” Although we’re separated from each other, Dapperton’s music brings liveliness back into our day.
We needed a song like this in the middle of a pandemic. From the lyrics to the tone, the sing-along clips to the colorful allure, this is a track that helped brighten up our world right now. As the country sees a growing surge in COVID-19 cases with the ever-looming threat of more lock downs, ‘Post Humorous,’ encourages us to laugh, to gaze into fires and take the road less traveled. It doesn’t paint a picture of a perfect world, but moves us to dance to the rhythm even in the darkest of times.
“I hope that by sharing this music it can heal others too,” Dapperton said on his Instagram.
To listen to Gus Dapperton, visit his Spotify profile here.
UPDATE, November 2022: If you enjoyed this blog, read my review of Gus Dapperton’s latest release, ‘Wet Cement’ here.
