Wassailer journeys through post-relationship regrets on the tender "242"

"242" lands after his September debut single "Son", both of which will appear on Wassailer's debut album i, the bastard.

Wassailer's new release commences with muffled romantic strings that fade away to reveal his soft vocals. He journeys through memories of a past relationship from a bus he frequently took, resisting the urge to jump off and visit his old flame's house.

The relatable and emotionally raw track sees Wassailer frustrated at being without his past love on the "242" bus as he sings, "In this late night bus there’s an empty seat / and these empty streets are driving me nuts / I’m chasing you in the 242 / I’m looking for someone."

He manages to merge melancholia and hope through the tender lyrics that elevate the intricate instrumentation. The percussion emphasises the forlorn tones of the song, pounding like a nervous heartbeat similar to the feeling of being overwhelmed by nostalgic memories.

Wassailer battles the overthinking headspace by singing of what he longs for, "Someone who could love me, someone to replace you / Someone to support me, someone who could take me to / Somewhere I could break free, someone who could help me sleep / Somewhere I could woe, somewhere I don’t have to be someone else."

The singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist says of the track, "It’s about that post relationship feeling of deep regrets, heavy guilt, mixed up with melancholia and hope. It’s also about realising how hard it is to be your true self, how easy it is to play a role, to avoid facing the real shit, I suppose."