Gatlin has shared two new songs, “Happy” and “Pipe Dream,” offering a candid look at depression, doubt, and self-esteem, especially through the lens of navigating today’s music industry as an emerging artist. Both tracks are from her upcoming debut album The Eldest Daughter, out October 3.
The Florida-born musician also uses the album to reflect on her upbringing in a deeply conservative, religious community and her journey coming out. Confronting the trauma left in its wake, Gatlin leans into unflinching honesty while creating a life on her own terms.
“I started writing this song with my friend Carrie K a couple years ago about my depression,” Gatlin explains about “Happy.” “It started when I was talking about how I would sometimes daydream about ending up in the hospital so then this guy I liked would come visit me and realize he was desperately in love with me—and also would remember to text me back. Peak of delusion!!!”
The new singles follow earlier releases from The Eldest Daughter, including “Jesus Christ & Country Clubs,” a bold critique of her hometown’s hypocrisy, and “If She Was A Boy,” inspired by an early diary entry from her coming out journey. Rolling Stone named the latter a Song You Need To Know, while GLAAD spotlighted it as one of the week’s best tracks. “Jesus Christ & Country Clubs” also earned praise from Ones To Watch as “a defiant and proud middle finger to those that don’t accept her for who she is.”
Gatlin will take The Eldest Daughter on tour this fall, starting with an album preview party at Los Angeles’ In The Meantime on September 17, where she’ll perform the record in full with a live band. The run also includes an Orlando homecoming on September 29, and release-week stops at Washington DC’s Union Stage (October 2), Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg (October 6), and Boston’s Brighton Music Hall (October 7).
For a full list of announced shows visit: https://www.gatlinmusic.com/
