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Spring’s going…going…GONE! was her debut EP released in 2023 after a series of singles released in 2022, such as gimme all your love and girlfriend. In an interview with DORK, Springs described the transitional journey the EP was expressing:
“The songs from going…going…GONE! serve as records of my thoughts as I transitioned from the teenage/young-adult phase to adulthood. Sure, at times I sound a bit silly, but I think it’s used as a way to cover up impending fears that are only bound to grow as I get older. What better way to deal with that than singing to a beat with self-depreciating lyrics?”
Born Isimeme Udu in Concord, North Carolina, Springs had entirely different plans for her life prior to pursuing music. After getting a biology degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, her interest in bioinformatics led her to pursue a Master of Science degree from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Springs discussed the moment she decided to pursue music instead of a career in the medical field. “In my first couple months here, I was starting to think med school is not for me. My thing was like ‘I’m gonna do medical research, maybe get some papers in, and then I can do my PhD somewhere.”
The EP begins with “gimme all ur luv,” a track that mixes synths, ambient muffled keys, and a simple drum pad arrangement that has a nostalgic tone. Springs revealed in a TikTok that the song idea came to her while in the shower, which then sparked the creation of the rest of the EP. The track is one of four that tackles the subject of love and the various thought processes of romantic relationships.
Track two, “girlfriend,” is a rapid increase of energy and pacing from “gimme all ur luv” that shows hope of romance as Springs is depicted entering a relationship she wasn’t emotionally ready for. Comparable to other songs from the EP, the background beat is cheerful and energetic, while lyrical storytelling is the opposite, a similar structural composition to that of Outkast’s “Hey Ya!”.
Track three, “heavun,” shows a progression of maturity and articulation from the previous track, where Springs is pursuing a romantic interest with intent instead of entering a relationship solely to feel loved. The building synth in the second pre-chorus reflects the building tension in the decision to choose humility and limit focus on herself to be in a relationship.
Track four, “enknee1,” is where the pacing and the rapid energy begin to fall, as Springs remains alone despite the rapid growth in herself to become a better romantic partner. The bridge, instrumental break, and final chorus reflect the last bit of emotional energy Springs had to express her dissatisfaction with her love life.
Track five, “pos,” shifts the narrative from love and romance to introspection and self-loathing. Springs reflects the anxiety that comes with entering a new stage of confidence and independence in life that comes from adulthood, which can be reflected through the cowbell instrumentals intermixed with the belts of the pre-chorus.
Track six, “the train to nowhere,” is an optimistic ballad toward someone who left their past selves behind while dealing with the truth of human imperfection and disconnected relationships. The strong drum pad arrangement and soft synth match the reminiscent tone of the song as Springs uses trains as a metaphor for running from life’s problems. The song, although focused on the negative emotions of feeling disconnected from someone and oneself, has a sense of optimism to face life head-on, resolve one’s troubles, and embrace the unchangeable imperfections of being human.
The final track, “going…going…GONE!,” also the feature of the EP, tackles the issue of life not being linear. Springs is reflecting on how life can never be fully prepared for and that unexpected detours will inevitably happen. The energetic tone and rapid pace of the album ends and is depressing in tone, while the lyrical content shows acceptance of life’s unpredictability, showing Springs’ current state of maturity.
Rating: 9/10
Main Attractors: The EP is a reflection of Springs’ growth from being a teenage/young adult into full adulthood, which is broad enough in its messages to appeal to an audience of young adults who are transitioning into independence and responsibility. Each song has a sound inspired by 80s rock and pop, featuring synthesizers, drum pad arrangements, and other prominent sounds like cowbells to show that the album is a chronological retelling of her growth as a person and an artist.
Main Detractors: There is too much of a focus on romance and finding love that the remaining three tracks seem less influential, despite their specific themes being responsible for Springs’ evolution into the artist she is currently. There is also an implied emphasis on nostalgic memories from youth and less focus on growth from those moments into adulthood, which is only explored extensively in the final track, “going…going…GONE!”
