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Sunset Season
Sunset Season
Sunset Season
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Sunset Season
EP by
Conan Gray
ReleasedNovember 16, 2018 (2018-11-16)
Recorded2017–2018
Length18:36
Label
ProducerDan Nigro, Conan Gray
Conan Gray chronology
Sunset Season
(2018) 		Kid Krow
(2020)
Singles from Sunset Season
  1. "Idle Town"
    Released: March 19, 2017
  2. "Generation Why"
    Released: October 3, 2018
  3. "Crush Culture"
    Released: October 26, 2018

Sunset Season is the debut extended play by American singer-songwriter and social media personality Conan Gray. It was released under Republic Records on November 16, 2018. Sunset Season was primarily produced by Dan Nigro and co-produced by Conan Gray, who also wrote and composed the five-track EP. Gray released "Idle Town", "Generation Why", and "Crush Culture" as singles.

Background

[edit]

Gray has cited Lorde's debut album, Pure Heroine, as a major inspiration for the EP because of its small-town nostalgia.[1]

In October 2018, Gray began the Sunset Shows tour in support of the project. The tour ran until May 2019.

In November 2019, Gray took to Twitter to celebrate the one year anniversary of the EP's release, stating "can't even begin to explain how much these five songs changed my life, so i’m not even going to try to. just. i'm happier now than i've ever been my whole entire life. so thank u." The tweet featured a screenshot of the EP's growth on Spotify, showing that it had gained over 145 million streams in one year.[2]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[3]

  • Conan Gray – vocalist (all tracks), lyricist (all tracks), producer (track 1), keyboard (track 1), additional vocals (all tracks)
  • Daniel Nigro – producer (tracks 2–5), bass (tracks 2–4), guitar (tracks 2–3), drum programming (tracks 2–4), mellotron (tracks 2–3), mixing (track 2)
  • Rob Kinelski – mixing (tracks 3–5)
  • Ryan Linvil – drum programming (tracks 2–4)
  • Kate Brady – additional vocals (track 2)
  • Yves Rothman – drum programming (track 3)

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Conan Gray

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Idle Town"Conan Gray3:58
2."Generation Why"Daniel Nigro3:40
3."Crush Culture"Nigro3:24
4."Greek God"Nigro3:57
5."Lookalike"Nigro3:41
Total length:18:36

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2018) Peak
position
UK Download Albums (OCC)[4] 57
US Billboard 200[5] 116

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sunset Season

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sunset Season is the debut (EP) by American singer-songwriter , released on November 16, 2018, through . The five-track project, written entirely by Gray, features the singles "Idle Town," "Generation Why," and "Crush Culture," alongside "Greek God" and "Lookalike." It captures the essence of suburban through nostalgic, introspective centered on themes of youth, heartbreak, and small-town longing. Gray, born December 5, 1998, in , and raised in , first rose to prominence as a personality and , sharing vlogs, covers, and original songs from his teenage years. Sunset Season emerged from this DIY ethos, with tracks initially performed during Gray's intimate "Sunset Shows" tour, reflecting his authentic, bedroom-recorded style before his signing with in 2018. The EP's release propelled Gray into wider recognition, debuting at number 2 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, while its relatable Gen Z narratives resonated with fans through dreamy production and vulnerable lyrics. Critically, Sunset Season was praised for its emotional depth and holistic connection to listeners, marking a pivotal step in Gray's transition from online creator to professional artist, and setting the stage for his subsequent full-length albums.

Background and Development

Conception and Influences

Conan Gray rose to prominence as a vlogger and personality, sharing personal vlogs, covers, and storytelling videos that captured his experiences growing up in the small town of . His content, including the 2016 "Draw My Life" video detailing his life story, contributed to his channel reaching over 500,000 subscribers by 2017, with early singles like "Idle Town" garnering 12 million views and establishing his emotional, introspective style. In September 2017, at age 18, Gray moved from to to attend UCLA's , but he soon shifted focus to music full-time, after three months to pursue songwriting and touring opportunities. This relocation marked a pivotal transition from online to professional music, driven by his desire to escape the isolation of small-town life and channel personal themes of , , and into songs. During late 2017, Gray began intensive songwriting sessions in LA, drawing from his Texas upbringing's feelings of confinement and , which formed the emotional core of his debut EP. The conception of Sunset Season emerged in Gray's late teens amid this career pivot, inspired by his viral online presence and the need to capture fleeting adolescent moments before they faded. Key musical influences included Lorde's debut album (2013), whose themes of suburban ennui resonated with Gray's own small-town reflections, and Jeff Buckley's Grace (1994), which he listened to daily while recording demos over the summer of 2018. These elements shaped the EP's dreamy, melancholic sound, blending personal isolation with broader Gen Z anxieties. By early 2018, Gray had developed and finalized the five-track project independently; his growing buzz led to a signing with in October 2018, enabling its release the following month.

Recording Process

The recording of Sunset Season commenced in the spring of 2018, building on initial demos created prior to Conan Gray's signing to in October 2018. Main sessions occurred over the summer months, spanning June through September, in producer Dan Nigro's garage studio in , . This intimate setting allowed Gray to transition from his earlier recordings using basic tools like and a taped to a more structured yet relaxed professional environment. Gray co-produced the EP alongside Nigro, who handled primary production duties and contributed instrumentation across the five tracks. The collaborative process marked a significant shift for Gray, who had previously written and recorded solo; he described the songwriting sessions as a learning curve in balancing personal authenticity with group input. Mixing was finalized by October 2018, enabling the EP's release later that November. Challenges during the sessions stemmed from Gray's relative inexperience in professional studios at age 19, including adjusting to external feedback and the pressure of crafting a debut under label expectations. Despite this, the garage's casual vibe preserved the EP's raw, confessional tone, drawing from Gray's small-town upbringing and emotional narratives.

Music and Lyrics

Musical Style

Sunset Season exemplifies with prominent pop influences, characterized by its dreamy, intimate sound and lo-fi aesthetics that prioritize emotional vulnerability over polished production. The EP blends alternative pop elements, creating a sonic palette that feels both contemporary and nostalgic, evoking the DIY spirit of artists emerging from online platforms in the late . This fusion allows for a buoyant yet tone, distinguishing it within the broader pop landscape. The instrumentation centers on minimalistic arrangements, featuring acoustic guitars and -driven melodies that form the backbone of the tracks, often paired with subtle electronic touches like soft synth layers and understated percussion to maintain an airy, unpretentious vibe. These choices contribute to the EP's undertones in ballad-like sections, while the lo-fi quality—achieved through simple beats and ambient textures—enhances its bedroom-recorded intimacy. Representative examples include the use of light and rhythmic elements that mimic everyday sounds, fostering a sense of immediacy and relatability. Produced primarily by and co-produced by , the EP's techniques emphasize layered vocals with repeated chorusing and generous reverb applications, which amplify a hazy, nostalgic atmosphere without overwhelming the core compositions. These production decisions root the sound in Gray's early solo acoustic origins, where he crafted initial demos using basic tools like and a makeshift setup in his . This approach not only preserves an authentic, unrefined edge but also aligns Sunset Season with contemporaries like and in the bedroom pop movement, sharing their focus on personal, genre-blending introspection.

Lyrical Themes

The lyrical themes of Sunset Season revolve around personal introspection and coming-of-age narratives, deeply rooted in Conan Gray's experiences growing up in the of . Central to the EP is a profound for the simplicity and constraints of small-town youth, juxtaposed with the isolation and emotional turmoil of . Gray draws directly from his upbringing as a "lonely, bored kid" in a monotonous environment, where limited opportunities fostered a sense of entrapment and yearning for escape. This is evident in tracks that evoke the pain of growing up, , and the inevitable fragmentation of youthful connections, capturing the "sunset" of childhood as a metaphor for transition and loss. Key motifs throughout the songs highlight fleeting relationships, profound loss, and as hallmarks of this introspective journey. In "Crush Culture," Gray critiques the superficiality of modern romance and unrequited longing, portraying relationships as transient and pressure-filled cultural phenomena that exacerbate personal isolation. "Lookalike" delves into the ache of and unresolved heartbreak, using vivid to convey the lingering impact of past affections. Meanwhile, "Idle Town" embodies through its reflection on the stagnation of small-town life, where fond memories of friends clash with the harsh reality of inevitable departures, inspired by Gray's own senior year in high school. These elements underscore a broader exploration of emotional vulnerability without delving into overt specifics, allowing the themes to resonate universally. Gray's songwriting approach emphasizes autobiographical honesty infused with poetic , transforming personal chaos into relatable anthems. He has described his process as a means of "processing all the that’s in my head," often starting with lyrics born from everyday moments like showers or quiet reflection, which mirrors the raw, confessional style of his early work. This universality is achieved through subtle, evocative that prioritizes emotional core over biographical detail, ensuring the EP's narratives feel intimate yet inclusive. The themes also align closely with Gray's social media persona, honed through years of vlogs where he shared vulnerable stories of life and teenage in a vlog-style format that fostered direct emotional connection with fans.

Release and Promotion

Singles and Music Videos

The lead single from Sunset Season, "Idle Town", was released independently on March 19, 2017, serving as a nostalgic to Gray's hometown and the memories of his high school years. Self-produced by Gray using , the track captured a sense of longing for simpler times amid personal transitions, resonating with listeners through its introspective lyrics and lo-fi production. The accompanying music video for "Idle Town", directed and self-shot by Gray alongside friends Ellie and Ashley, adopted a raw, DIY aesthetic that emphasized intimate, handheld footage of everyday moments to evoke the song's themes of familiarity and farewell. This visual approach mirrored Gray's early YouTube vlogging style, which helped build his initial online following. Following the EP's signing with Republic Records, "Generation Why" was issued as the first Republic-backed single on October 3, 2018, delving into themes of millennial disillusionment and existential angst in a hyper-connected world. The music video, written and directed by Gray with cinematography by Jordan Black, featured a surreal, monochromatic starring Gray as a weary navigating absurd, dreamlike scenarios symbolizing generational fatigue. "Crush Culture" followed as the second single on October 26, 2018, critiquing the societal pressure to pursue romance and the resulting isolation for those outside that norm, with lyrics expressing envy and frustration toward "crush culture." Gray described it as an for the "loveless," highlighting the dissonance between cultural expectations and personal experience. The music video for "Crush Culture", also directed by Gray, embraced a campy, dramatic style with vibrant colors and chaotic sequences, including scenes of tearing up love letters and discarding spreads to visualize hormonal turmoil and romantic rejection. Gray promoted the singles primarily through his channels and , where he shared teasers, behind-the-scenes content, and personal stories to foster direct engagement with fans, amplifying the EP's anticipation ahead of its release. This grassroots strategy, rooted in his vlogging origins, contributed to the tracks' organic spread and sustained interest in the years following.

Marketing and Touring

Sunset Season was released on November 16, 2018, through , initially available as a digital download and via streaming platforms worldwide. A physical vinyl edition followed on April 19, 2019, pressed on limited-edition colored 10-inch vinyl to meet demand from fans. The EP's marketing emphasized Gray's transition from YouTube sensation to recording artist, with promotional efforts centered on teasers and interviews that highlighted his online origins. Gray, who had amassed nearly one million subscribers through vlogs, covers, and original songs like "Idle Town," used platforms such as and to share behind-the-scenes glimpses and build anticipation. In discussions, such as a March 2019 interview, Gray discussed how his uploads served as an emotional outlet during his teenage years in , crediting the platform's feedback for leading to his deal after "Idle Town" gained viral traction. The campaign also secured placements on editorial playlists, amplifying reach among listeners and contributing to early streaming momentum. Live promotion integrated the EP into Gray's burgeoning stage presence without a dedicated full-length tour, instead launching the Sunset Shows headlining run in late 2018 across U.S. venues, which expanded into spring 2019 dates in cities like , , and New York. Nearly all shows sold out rapidly, reflecting strong fan support from Gray's digital following, with performances featuring intimate, nostalgic sets of the EP's tracks. Additional exposure came from opening slots on Panic! at the Disco's 2019 tour, where Gray performed for audiences of up to 20,000, marking a significant step in scaling from small clubs to arenas and honing his live delivery of songs like "Lookalike." The rollout began with a primary focus on North America, including Canadian stops in Montreal and Toronto, before expanding internationally through streaming accessibility in regions like the UK and Asia by early 2019, where Gray's YouTube videos had already cultivated a global audience.

Commercial Performance

Chart Positions

Sunset Season achieved modest chart success upon its release, reflecting Conan Gray's emerging presence in the music industry. In the United States, the EP debuted and peaked at number 118 on the Billboard 200 chart dated December 1, 2018. It also reached number 2 on the Top Heatseekers Albums chart, highlighting its appeal among new and developing artists, and number 31 on the Top Album Sales chart. Internationally, Sunset Season entered the UK Album Downloads Chart at number 57 during the week ending November 23, 2018. The EP experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2020, driven by viral trends on and playlist placements, which boosted streaming numbers significantly. By the end of 2019, it had surpassed 100 million streams on , establishing key context for its growing .
Chart (2018–2020)Peak PositionWeeks on Chart
US Billboard 2001181
US Top Heatseekers Albums25
US Top Album Sales312
UK Album Downloads Chart571
Spotify Global Streams (cumulative by 2019)>100 millionN/A

Sales and Certifications

Sunset Season achieved substantial commercial success through digital platforms, amassing approximately 758 million streams on as of November 2025. This streaming performance underscores the EP's enduring popularity, particularly in the years following its initial release, driven largely by Gray's rising profile from subsequent projects like . The project's revenue has been predominantly generated from streaming, which constitutes the primary consumption format, with supplementary contributions from digital downloads on services such as . Physical formats, including vinyl reissues starting in , have provided additional sales boosts; limited-edition colored vinyl editions remain available through official channels, appealing to collectors and contributing to modest but steady physical unit growth. While the EP itself has not received a certification from the RIAA, individual tracks have garnered international recognition. Notably, "Crush Culture" earned a certification from the Recording Industry Association () in 2019, equivalent to 35,000 units in . Overall, Sunset Season has played a key role in Gray's catalog, supporting his accumulation of over 10 million RIAA-certified units across all releases as of March 2025.

Critical Reception

Professional Reviews

Sunset Season garnered positive reception from independent music publications upon its release, with critics applauding Conan Gray's debut as a raw and authentic exploration of youth and emotion for a newcomer artist. Atwood Magazine praised the EP's emotional authenticity, particularly in tracks like "Generation Why" and "Lookalike," which capture Gen Z's and personal vulnerabilities through allegorical songwriting and heartfelt delivery. The review highlighted Gray's unapologetic vulnerability, describing it as a holistic commitment to his audience, though noting that the opening track "Crush Culture" features slightly juvenile despite its relatability. Other outlets echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the EP's dreamy production and thematic depth. The Roar commended its flowy tunes, layered vocals, and ethereal feel, which effectively convey the monotony and heartbreak of , making it highly relatable for young listeners. Affinity Magazine described the project as embodying "nostalgia, joy, rage, heartbreak, and most importantly: perfection," lauding its professional production and mature handling of generational themes in songs like "Idle Town." The North Star further noted Gray's soft yet mature voice and the EP's melancholic tone, which pairs nostalgic lyrics with retro aesthetics to evoke lasting memories of youth.

Accolades and Legacy

Sunset Season earned a for Breakthrough Artist at the , recognizing his rapid rise from social media videos to professional releases. The EP's success also contributed to Gray receiving the Shorty Award for Best Musician in 2019. The EP laid the groundwork for Gray's major-label debut album, , released in March 2020, which built directly on the style and fanbase established by Sunset Season. Sunset Season significantly elevated visibility for artists transitioning from platforms like to traditional music careers, exemplifying Gray's path from self-recorded videos to . Following the commercial breakthrough of Kid Krow, streams for Sunset Season experienced substantial growth, with the EP accumulating over 145 million plays on Spotify in the year following Kid Krow's release (as of 2021). As of November 2025, the EP has surpassed 500 million total streams on Spotify, continuing to resonate with listeners through Gray's evolving discography.

Credits and Personnel

Production Team

The production of Sunset Season was led by Daniel Nigro, who produced tracks 2 through 5 ("Generation Why," "Crush Culture," "Greek God," and "Lookalike"), while Conan Gray produced and mixed track 1 ("Idle Town"). Gray also contributed keyboards and programming to "Idle Town." Nigro handled mixing on "Generation Why" and provided programming on that track, in addition to bass, guitar, and mellotron on several songs. Rob Kinelski mixed "Crush Culture" and "Lookalike." Republic Records signed Gray in 2018 and provided support for the project's release.

Additional Contributors

Daniel Nigro contributed bass (tracks 2, 3, 4), guitar (tracks 2, 3), (tracks 2, 3), 12-string (track 3), piano (track 5), synthesizer (tracks 4, 5), and programming (track 2). Kate Brady provided backing vocals on "Generation Why." Ryan Linvill handled drum programming on tracks 2, 3, and 4, while Yves Rothman did so on "Crush Culture." The EP's artwork featured art direction by , package design by Kristen Sorace, and photography by Brian Ziff. Mastering was performed by Dave Kutch.

References

  1. https://genius.com/albums/Conan-gray/Sunset-season
  2. https://www.papermag.com/conan-gray-sunset-season
  3. https://atwoodmagazine.com/cgss-sunset-season-conan-gray-ep-review/
  4. https://www.youtube.com/c/ConanGray/about
  5. https://www.last.fm/music/Conan%2BGray/%2Bwiki
  6. https://www.melodicmag.com/news/conan-gray-drops-sunset-season-and-sold-out-almost-every-show-on-the-tour/
  7. https://scroar.net/3389/sections/ae/review-conan-grays-debut-album-sunset-season-conveys-the-monotony-of-adolescence/
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvzS03Jra0
  9. https://uproxx.com/pop/conan-gray-primer/
  10. https://nationaltoday.com/birthday/conan-gray/
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVUV6cwb-Ks
  12. https://www.flaunt.com/blog/qanda-conan-gray
  13. https://www.amazon.com/Sunset-Season-Glass-Marble-Single/dp/B08P8D388W
  14. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/conan-gray-new-album-superache-heather-olivia-rodrigo-1366318/
  15. https://www.allmusic.com/blog/post/growth-of-the-ep-format-in-the-age-of-streaming
  16. https://wers.org/wers-deep-dive-the-rise-of-bedroom-pop-and-diy-artists/
  17. https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/review-a-track-by-track-analysis-of-conan-grays-debut-ep-sunset-season/
  18. https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/sunset-season-mr0004964896
  19. https://shop.udiscovermusic.com/products/conan-gray-sunset-season-ep-lp
  20. https://www.amazon.com/Sunset-Season-Conan-Gray/dp/B07JJ5WHN2
  21. https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/conan-gray/15242
  22. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/conan-gray-music-month
  23. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/conan-gray-new-album-kid-krow-interview-9324259/
  24. https://americansongwriter.com/kid-krow-conan-gray-album-interview/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14113270/
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=entVpj_IT6M
  27. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/conan-gray-crush-culture-video-8481974/
  28. https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/26/conan-gray-crush-culture-video-premiere
  29. https://www.merchbar.com/pop/conan-gray/conan-gray-sunset-season-vinyl-record
  30. https://dailybruin.com/2019/03/13/qa-conan-gray-reflects-on-transition-from-youtube-to-playing-live-shows
  31. https://open.spotify.com/album/16pubXUlqRziVWRsT6lLNz
  32. https://www.billboard.com/pro/the-weeknd-after-hours-billboard-200-debut-2020-biggest-week/
  33. https://www.billboard.com/artist/conan-gray/
  34. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-downloads-chart/20181123/7003/
  35. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/4Uc8Dsxct0oMqx0P6i60ea_albums.html
  36. https://shop.conangray.com/products/sunset-season-vinyl
  37. https://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=58525
  38. https://wnhsnorthstar.com/7298/opinion/review-conan-gray-sunset-season/
  39. https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/streamy-awards-2019-nominees-list-8533179/
  40. https://shortyawards.com/11th/conangray
  41. https://www.grammy.com/news/conan-gray-digs-deeper-on-new-album-superache
  42. https://music.fandom.com/wiki/Sunset_Season
  43. https://www.discogs.com/release/17056827-Conan-Gray-Sunset-Season
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