Social media can make relationships even more complicated than they already can be. And Phangs is not okay with that.
The pop singer-songwriter debuts his first song of 2020, “Okay With That,” on Billboard today (March 12). The airy track narrates a relationship in limbo, reprimanding the internet for the constant reminders of a fizzling love. “And now I think I hate the internet/ ‘Cause every shape looks like your silhouette/ Avoiding you like I’m an acrobat/ You’re everywhere, I’m not okay with that,” he sings on the chorus.
“‘Okay With That’ is a song about relationships and the internet, and how weird and confusing it all is,” Phangs tells Billboard in a statement. “We all live and communicate on our phones, so sometimes even the smallest post can trigger a reaction or memory that you haven’t taken the time to properly deal with…again, because the internet is weird.”
The Nashville-based artist also unveils the evocative video starring Phangs himself, who quickly realizes that being so connected actually causes disconnect.
The clip starts out with Phangs sitting next to his love interest. She’s on her phone and he’s on his Gameboy Color (yes, it still works); the sunny room suddenly becomes dimly lit as they begin to drift apart. Eventually, Phangs decides to let his love go, echoing the bridge: “And now I think I’ll leave you in the past/ I’m better off just taking what I have/ I won’t see you around or in my head/ Not anymore, and I’m okay with that.”
Though Phangs is happily married in real life, relationship difficulties are seemingly a prominent theme on the Nashville-based artist’s forthcoming album, Who’s Gonna Break Your Heart Tonight? The project doesn’t yet have a release date, but “Okay With That” will be part of the track list.
Tonight marks the end of leg one of Phangs’ North American tour, which featured pop-rock newcomers ’90s Kids as support. Leg two is scheduled to kick off on April 3 in St. Louis and end at Dallas’ Three Links on April 17, with rising dream-pop songstress Devon Baldwin opening.
Watch the “Okay With That” video and see where you can catch Phangs in your city below.
Phang 2020 Tour Dates
March 12 — Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl at Center Stage
April 3 — St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill Duck Room
April 4 — Denver, CO @ Lost Lake
April 5 — Salt Lake City, UT @ The Loading Dock
April 7 — Seattle, WA @ The Funhouse
April 8 — Portland, OR @ The Waypost
April 10 — Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver
April 13 — Los Angeles @ TBD
April 14 — Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock
April 16 — Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ (Indoors)
April 17 — Dallas, TX @ Three Links
