Marking the fifth single to drop ahead of her sophomore follow-up, I Don’t Do Humidity, out June 7, dream-pop project Bathe Alone is crystal clear in her intentions to cut off a friendship gone awry on “$35 Copay.”
The appropriately named solo project of multi-instrumentalist Bailey Crone is far from her first venture into music. She began making a name for herself in the Georgia scene through collaborations and time as the drummer for fellow Atlanta artist Girlpuppy. On top of a background in classical music, being able to play the drums, guitar, and bass helped her eventual transition to songs like 2022’s “Some Things Never Change,” which garnered millions of streams and a spotlight on Crone.
With a gleaming guitar, “$35 Copay” gets washed in an ethereal coating as Crone sings unapologetically about a toxic friend to crushing relatability.
Punctuated by the lyric, “I can’t keep being your therapy,” the track is a shining example of Crone’s perfected formula between singular songwriting and lush instrumentation. The self-aware lyrics playfully point out the monotonous nature of the friendship, with the meta line “Second verse, different words” referencing the song’s structure. However, it doesn’t come off as a gimmick; instead, it illustrates how every interaction with the person is the same as the last.
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So far, Crone’s music has led to opening slots and accompanying shows with everyone from Beabadoobee to Bombay Bicycle Club, as well as several shows this past SXSW. Although Bathe Alone still stands as her project, Crone plays alongside a band for live shows, a reminder of the many hats she wears when it’s just her and producer Damon Moon.
Much like the openness heard on “$35 Copay,” Crone’s songwriting starts with thoughts and feelings about her relationships with others, whether it be a former friend or an ex-husband. Based on the previously released singles off the album, all produced by Moon, she continues to tackle the dynamics in her life without filtering the truth in any way.
“It became super draining to hear about the same problems over and over again,” said Crone on the inspiration behind “$35 Copay.” “It just felt like the friendship was becoming a therapy session, and all the while, I have things on my own that I’m dealing with. They deserve someone who can handle them… but I didn’t sign up for that.”
Words: David Sosa
“$35 Copay” off I Don’t Do Humidity by Bathe Alone is out on streaming services. For more on the new album and potential shows, follow her on Instagram, Bandcamp, and her website.
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