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Punish (song)

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"Punish"
A dark silhouette-like picture of Ethel Cain with a giant ring above her head.
Single by Ethel Cain
from the album Perverts
ReleasedNovember 1, 2024 (2024-11-01)
Genre
Length
  • 6:47 (single version)
  • 6:40 (album version)
LabelDaughters of Cain
Songwriter(s)Hayden Silas Anhedönia
Producer(s)Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain singles chronology
"For Sure"
(2024) 		"Punish"
(2024)
Music video
"Punish" on YouTube

"Punish" is a song by the American singer-songwriter and record producer Ethel Cain, from her studio recording Perverts (2025). The record label Daughters of Cain released it on November 1, 2024, as the project's lead single. She wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed the track, while Dale Becker mastered it. "Punish" is a folk, drone, ambient, and slowcore track with industrial influences. Containing an experimental production, the song is led by piano and presents guitars as it gradually builds to a crescendo. Lyrically, it deals with an exploration of shame, portraying a pedophile and child molester shot by his victim's father.

Cain and Silken Weinberg directed the accompanying black-and-white music video for "Punish", which premiered on the same date as the single's release. Music critics received the song positively, many of whom considered it a strong introduction to Perverts. Commercially, it appeared on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart. Prior to its release, Cain included "Punish" in the set list for the Childish Behaviour Tour (2024).

Background and release

[edit]

Following the release of her debut studio album, Preacher's Daughter (2022), Ethel Cain began to work on a side project rather than its follow-up.[1] In 2024, she developed the studio recording Perverts in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, and Tallahassee, Florida.[2] Initially, it was a concept album on which she "would have explored a different character that society considers a pervert on each song", according to Stereogum's Brad Sanders.[3] However, the idea was partly scrapped and only two of the tracks written for the first concept were included on the final track listing, including "Punish".[4]

On October 14, 2024, Cain announced the release of "Punish" and revealed the release date of Perverts for January 8, 2025, which was first teased on social media with grainy and black-and-white pictures.[5] She also shared the cover artwork for the lead single, which features Cain with a ring above her head.[6] The record label Daughters of Cain released it on November 1, 2024,[7] along with an accompanying dark, black-and-white music video directed by Cain and Silken Weinberg.[2] On November 11, Cain revealed the track listing for Perverts, which includes "Punish" as the second song.[8] Commercially, it entered the New Zealand Hot Singles chart issued for November 8, 2024, at number 29.[9]

Composition

[edit]

"Punish" is 6 minutes and 47 seconds long,[10] while the version included on Perverts is 7 seconds shorter.[11] Cain wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed the track, while Dale Becker was in charge of its mastering.[10] Angel Diaz, also known as Vyva Melinkolya, played baritone and lap steel guitars.[12] Critics have identified it as a folk,[13] drone,[14] slowcore,[15] and ambient song,[16] with elements of industrial music.[17] Its production is in line with the project's more experimental and texture-driven style than her previous releases.[18] Led by a slow tempo piano instrumental,[19][20] the track incorporates guitars as it gradually builds to a crescendo,[21][22][23] which is similar to shoegaze.[3] The distorted chords accompany Cain's whispered vocals.[24][19] The track also incorporates the sound of a rusted swing set recorded at midnight,[25] which Clare Martin of Paste considered as a reference to childhood.[4]

The sound of "Punish" was the subject of comparisons to various artists. Pitchfork's Meaghan Garvey saw it reminiscent to Ruins (2014) by the musician Grouper, as well as the works of the singer-songwriter Midwife, who describes her music as "heaven metal".[7] The Independent's Helen Brown compared it to the late-1990s ballads by the singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan,[26] and The Fader's David Renshaw interpreted it as a mix between Grouper and the singer Lana Del Rey.[16] Additionally, Sanders drew similarities between the piano progressions of "Punish" and "Horizon", a song by the indie folk singer-songwriter Aldous Harding from the album Party (2017).[3]

"Punish" is one of the tracks on Perverts with more focus on the lyrical content.[24] A murder ballad,[16] it is an exploration of shame,[27] portraying a pedophile and child molester who self-harms after he was shot by his victim's father.[28][29] According to Cain, he tries to "simulate the bullet wound" on his body.[4][15] However, she stated that it could be freely interpreted.[4] The song references Gary Plauché, a man who killed his son's rapist, Jeffrey Doucet.[30] In a press release regarding the song, Cain said: "I wonder how deep shame can run, and how unforgivable an act could be that I may still justify it in some bent way to make carrying it more bearable. Would I tell myself it's not my fault and I couldn’t help myself? Would anyone truly believe that? Would I?".[31]

Critical reception

[edit]

Music critics praised "Punish" as a strong introduction to Perverts.[1][32] In a five-star review, NME's Kristen S. Hé compared it to "sinking into an ice bath" and said that the lyrics' "vagueness only makes them more unnerving".[1] Writing for Clash, Robin Murray opined that the song "illustrates how gripping, and how emotionally redolent her work can be", and that it "acts as musical therapy, stripping away the layers of dirt on her life".[27] Sasha Geffen of Pitchfork praised Cain's vocal performance on the track as an improvement from her previous releases,[33] and Grant Sharples of Uproxx believed that she expressed the same sincerity and "deep conviction in herself and her art" as she did on Preacher's Daughter.[34] Numerous publications added "Punish" to their lists of the best new music of its release week.[a] "Punish" was ranked at number 19 on Dazed's listicle of the best tracks released in 2024.[32] Billboard named it one of the best LGBTQ pride songs of the year, and the magazine's Joe Lynch wrote that it is not "something complete and definite" as other slow-building songs.[37]

Live performances

[edit]

Cain debuted "Punish" prior to its release at Le Trianon in Paris on June 3, 2024, as part of the set list for her third concert tour, the Childish Behaviour Tour.[38] The Fader's Sandra Song described the performance as exquisite, slow-moving, and "full of pensive melancholy",[39] while Stereogum's Tom Breihan said it was "long and meditative".[38]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Punish"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] 29

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Namely, Rolling Stone,[35] Paper,[13] The New York Times,[21] and Stereogum.[36]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Hé, Kristen S. (November 1, 2024). "'Punish' Is a Brutally Beautiful Introduction to Ethel Cain's New Chapter". NME. Archived from the original on January 6, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew (November 1, 2024). "Ethel Cain Shares Dark and Moody Video for New Song "Punish": Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Sanders, Brad (January 7, 2025). "Album of the Week: Ethel Cain Perverts". Stereogum. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Martin, Clare (January 8, 2025). "Ethel Cain Is Inscrutable and Fascinating on Perverts". Paste. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  5. ^ Paul, Larisha (October 14, 2024). "Ethel Cain Sets Release Date for New Album 'Perverts'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Ragusa, Pablo (October 14, 2024). "Ethel Cain Announces New Album Perverts". Consequence. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Garvey, Meaghan (November 1, 2024). "Ethel Cain: "Punish" Track Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Lapierre, Megan (November 11, 2024). "Ethel Cain Shares 'Perverts' Tracklist, Artwork". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 8, 2024. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Punish — Single — Album by Ethel Cain". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on December 9, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "Perverts — Album by Ethel Cain". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on January 11, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  12. ^ Abbott, Marc (January 10, 2025). "Ethel Cain: Perverts (Daughters of Cain) - Review". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  13. ^ a b D'Souza, Shaad (November 1, 2024). "Sound Off: 10 Songs You Need to Hear Now". Paper. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Factora, James (November 1, 2024). "Listen to "Punish," the Dark, Atmospheric Single From Ethel Cain's New Album "Perverts"". Them. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Kim, Matthew. "Ethel Cain goes from hell to heaven and back on Perverts". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  16. ^ a b c Renshaw, David (November 6, 2024). "Songs You Need in Your Life This Week". The Fader. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Williams, Jenessa (November 2, 2024). "45s of the Week — Ethel Cain, Babymonster, Luvcat and More!". The Forty-Five. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  18. ^ Taylor, Sam (November 1, 2024). "Ethel Cain Has Dropped Her Much-Teased 6-Minute-Long New Single 'Punish'". Dork. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (January 2, 2025). "Ethel Cain: Perverts Review – Pink Noise and Punishment as Cult Star Heads Underground". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  20. ^ Bell, Kaelen (November 1, 2024). "Ethel Cain Shares Video for First 'Perverts' Single "Punish"". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (November 1, 2024). "Anitta Mesmerizes the Weeknd, and 8 More New Songs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  22. ^ Siroky, Mary (November 1, 2024). "Ethel Cain Releases New Song "Punish": Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  23. ^ Shah, Rishi (January 8, 2025). "Album Review: Ethel Cain – Perverts". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  24. ^ a b Greer, Vicky. "Ethel Cain – Perverts". Clash. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  25. ^ Wohlmacher, John (January 13, 2025). "Album Review: Ethel Cain – Perverts". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  26. ^ Brown, Helen (January 9, 2025). "On Perverts, Ethel Cain Is Lost in the Meticulous Crafting of her Own Horror Noise". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  27. ^ a b Murray, Robin (November 1, 2024). "Ethel Cain's 'Punish' Explores the Impact of Shame". Clash. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  28. ^ England, Adam (January 8, 2025). "Ethel Cain Embraces the Experimental on her New Project, 'Perverts'". Xtra Magazine. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  29. ^ Hé, Kristen S. (January 6, 2025). "Ethel Cain – 'Perverts' Review: Daring Discomfort From a True Cult Star". NME. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  30. ^ Pace-McCarrick, Solomon (January 8, 2025). "Ethel Cain's Perverts: 5 Macabre Cultural References From the New Project". Dazed. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  31. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (November 1, 2024). "Ethel Cain Unveils "Punish" as the First Preview of Forthcoming Project". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Smith, Serena (December 10, 2024). "The 20 Best Tracks of 2024". Dazed. Archived from the original on January 2, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  33. ^ Geffen, Sasha (January 13, 2025). "Ethel Cain: Perverts Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  34. ^ Sharples, Grant (November 5, 2024). "All the Best New Indie Music From This Week". Uproxx. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  35. ^ "The Weeknd, Anitta, Tyler, the Creator, Ethel Cain, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week". Rolling Stone. November 1, 2024. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  36. ^ "The 5 Best Songs of the Week". Stereogum. November 8, 2024. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  37. ^ Lynch, Joe (December 12, 2024). "Staff List: The 25 Best Pride Songs of 2024". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  38. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (June 5, 2024). "Watch Ethel Cain Perform New Songs & Cover "Bette Davis Eyes" In Paris". Stereogum. Archived from the original on January 2, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  39. ^ Song, Sandra. "Live News: Billie Eilish Drops "Chihiro" Music Video, Ethel Cain Debuts "Punish," and More". The Fader. Archived from the original on January 2, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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