Hayden Anhedonia, known by her stage name Ethel Cain, is set to release her sophomore album titled Perverts next year on January 8th. The singer songwriter released the single “Punish” earlier this month, which will be featured on the album.
The album is not a part of the Preacher’s daughter trilogy but does follow an overarching theme tied together in a narrative aspect. Information of the upcoming release has been on the Ethel Cain Instagram, “mothercain” Tumblr blog, and a featured interview with Anhedonia in the 12th volume of Hommegirls.

The sound of “Punish” is like her Carpet Bed EP. Punish is similar to the combined sound (and the improved production quality) of Carpet Bag. In Ethel Cain’s fashion, there are layers of symbolism and references hidden throughout. The first sound the listeners hear is something between a chair scraping against the floor or creaking door. The sound becomes backline as slow piano takes the front. The sound is repeated throughout the track and feels like there is a cloud of shame hung above. The speaker details their self-destructive habits that they do to atone for the wrongdoing they have committed by their existence alone. The first lyrics heard being, “Whatever’s wrong with me, I will take to bed.” As the song draws closer to its end, a heavy guitar is introduced to the instrumentals. It creates a subtle effect of distortion. The track ends with the following lyrics on repeat:

I am punished by love
I am punished by love
I am punished by love
I am punished by love.

The guitar stops as abruptly as it starts. The end of the track is identical to its beginning: a cycle of shame which the narrator is trapped in. “Punish” is the auditory epitome of shame. The audience is left to experience the same cycle of shame that the narrator is stuck in. Be it self-loathing or rightful retribution, the feeling of judgement persists.

Fans have discussed that the imagery prevalent in the track draws similarities to their struggles with mental health. The intention with which Cain wrote the song is rooted in dark subject matter which is discussed in greater detail on the “mothercain” Tumblr account and the r/ethelcain subreddit, for those interested. “Punish” is one of the two songs that kept its original premise. Perverts is an exploration of Anhedonia’s personal ideology and spirituality.

Anhedonia does not want to be seen forever as only a musician. As a writer, she hopes to become a film maker and write her own scripts. Based on Anhedonia’s comments and the themes audible in “Punish,” it can be expected that Perverts will have similar elements of rock that Anhedonia’s Preacher’s Daughter has. The album is an opportunity for the musician to grow and experiment with themes that can be incorporated outside her musical work.