Wishbone, Neverending wishes
Who would you wish for at 11:11?
Conan Gray once again releases another heart-stopping yet tear-jerking soundtrack of your life in his fourth studio album, “Wishbone.” This emotionally captivating discography is a trigger for yearners and a killer for hopefuls albeit being a tale with a happy ending.
“Wishbone” is a 12-track discography of growth, love, and heartbreak. It is a one-of-a-kind love story of two queer characters, Wilson and Brando, and their fascination with fates and wishes. Behind this album lies the three-part song series that sum up the story of yearning, confession, and manifestation.
Sit still, open Spotify, listen. Be the witness as we uncover “The Wishbone Trilogy.”
The Wishbone Trilogy
This is a story of childhood friends, Wilson and Brando. They represent an unusual and nostalgic coming-of-age story. Both grew up in the same hometown where they made memories together, clueless of the growing feelings for each other.
They’ve already skinny-dipped the depths of lakes and rivers together, explored the dead-ends of their town, and wrote letters on tree branches. Have they ever acknowledged their weird heartbeats whenever they do these things?
Track #1: This Song
I’m too shy to tell you the words on my mind
I hope you can see if you read through these lines
That I wrote this song about you
The heart-stopper.
This Song is the “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve” chapter of the trilogy. The moment wherein Wilson suddenly falls for his childhood best friend, Brando. Wilson could only long for Brando because, for him, Brando is someone who is so close yet feels so far. He could only admire Brando’s beauty through stealing glances as he’s afraid to express what he feels and afraid to break the friendship.
And hopefully, everything is always better said and done.
He mustered the courage with hopes to have the heavens and earth side with him. All while being uncertain of the possibilities. He confessed, and gladly, he perfectly landed where he fell. Brandon lovingly kissed him back.
Track #2: Vodka Cranberry
Since the time we took a break
Everybody knows you don’t love me the same
So cruel to be lying to my face
‘Cause I know what you’re too scared to say, oh
The lovelorn phase.
Time flies fast like clouds of rain rushing beneath the sun rays. There are always hard-to-swallow bittersweet instances despite having moments that last. There was vodka cranberry that saved Wilson from those instances.
This heartbreaking moment over alcohol offers the dizzy feelings of Wilson for Brando. With alcohol, he’s much more aware of what’s happening than someone could think of. Wilson experienced the danger of non-reciprocated love and the emotional restraint caused by hindsight embarrassment.
Wilson did something he might regret doing. He called it off. Wishfully thinking that it was the alcohol talking.
Wilson and Brando both left their hometown for college. Haunted by the memories they made.
Track #3: Caramel
Did me wrong in the past
And I know it was bad
But you burn inside my memory so well
You caramel, You’re caramel
The summer.
No one can hold back the irresistible taste of caramel. Not when its sweetness is mixed with memories of love, longing, and heartbreak. Not when its sugary smell lingers in the breezy air of their hometown.
Wilson couldn’t do anything but to bawl out their could’ves and wish for the best. He took a bus and went back to college. He was feeling emotional the whole trip without knowing that Brando’s already waiting for him at the bus stop.
Brando’s presence surprised Wilson. He immediately went for Brando’s arms the moment he saw his sparkling eyes. Worries suddenly washed away with comfort they felt from each other.
Another chapter awaits and wishes to hope for together.
Behind the tracks
“Wishbone” is a manifestation of Conan’s own desires. Something he dream of when he was young. Wishbone is an arc of redemption, ”from being heartbroken and healing again.”
It is also hard growing up in a world where queer love stories often wrongly-represented. His previous albums Kid Krow (2020), to Superache (2022), and third studio album Found Heaven (2024) could always testify to that.
Because a queer person entering into a relationship considers being accepted more than being loved back.
Queer Acceptance
The stories and struggles of queer people finding their significant other are often limited to consideration of being accepted into society. They always carry the roles people expected them to be: a comedian or a successful child. The sole reason they think they will be accepted the moment they muster the courage to come out.
A one-of-a-kind high school love stories still remain as a dream. They can only hope for fate to happen. So, they continuously wish upon wishbones, four-leaf clovers, stones, angel numbers, and most of the time, 11:11.
Moreover, we couldn’t always expect and hope for people to accept us. Here’s a good advice. Do not let people coerce you to come out as you’re the one who got the power to let them step into your world.
A queer person deserves to love without fear and judgment.
