Ethel Cain's ‘Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You’: Every song ranked, best to worst

27-year-old American singer-songwriter Hayden Anhedonia, aka Ethel Cain, has released her second studio album, Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You.

The album features 10 tracks in total. Cain, while talking about the album, described it as:

"Willoughby Tucker is more of my insecurities and frustrations and fears and inadequacies in love."

Ethel Cain's latest album explores her experiences with heartbreak. This album presents a different tone from her previous album, Preacher's Daughter, which told stories about her early heartbreak, escaping an abusive family, and landing in dangerous situations.

Ranking the tracklist from best to worst

Willoughby Tucket, I'll Always Love You, features 10 tracks. We will be ranking them from best to worst.

Disclaimer: The rankings are based on the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

1. Waco, Texas

Waco, Texas, is a 15-minute emotional and narrative conclusion of the album featuring raw and cinematic grief with lyrics such as "I waited in the field/for you to come kill me." As per Pitchfork, the track is a "Southern Gothic requiem" and made the Redditor cry.

2. Nettles

Nettles is the heart of the album, and is full of dangerous, teenage longing. It has a slow build with twangy guitar notes.

3. F**k Me Eyes

F**k Me Eyes, by comparison, is the flashiest track on the album. Cain plays with her identity from the town s**t, the hometown ghost, and the girl who flirts with self-destruction. As per Slant Magazine, the song is "the most listenable and heartbreaking bop of the year."

4. Dust Bowl

Dust Bowl is a longtime fan demo turned full track. It's darker, heavier, and one of the liveliest live staples on the album.

5. Janie

Janie stands out because of its opener, which is eerie, spare, and full of aching promise. The ghostly piano, funeral pacing, and vocals create a tragic vibe to the track.

6. Tempest

Tempest is dark, loud, and slightly unhinged. Cain sounds like she's levitating in despair with lyrics like, "God didn't answer, so I became Him."

7. A Knock At The Door

A Knock At the Door feels intimate and offers a moment of reflection for the singer. Cain is talking to herself. While some listeners seemed to enjoy the track, others admitted to skipping it because of its dramatic cuts.

8. Radio Towers

Radio Towers is ranked low for its instrumental music, which functions more as scene-setting than a standalone track. It doesn't contribute much to the heartbreak story.

9. Willoughby's Theme

Willoughby's Theme sets a tone rather than leaving a mark. It's pretty but more of an interlude than a full song.

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