Jim Andralis is poised to release a profoundly moving new single, “The Worst Thing.” This track, born out of personal anguish and societal upheaval, highlights Andralis’ unparalleled ability to channel raw emotion into captivating music.
Following the Dobbs decision in June 2022, Andralis was thrust into a personal crisis when his sister, Kori, faced a severe health scare. Though she has since recovered, the intense fear and grief he experienced during that time became the spark for “The Worst Thing.” This song encapsulates Andralis’ struggle to navigate a world overshadowed by loss and the unrelenting tide of global and national crises.
During a drive to visit his sister in the hospital, Andralis passed a diner on Route 78 adorned with tiny American flags. This poignant sight during such a critical moment deeply moved him, inspiring the powerful lyrics that followed. “This song is an attempt to give myself permission to feel overwhelming terror, rage, and despair,” Andralis explains. “It’s also an expression of contempt toward the arrogant belief that we can be spared the world’s horrors if we do things right. Writing this song was my way of coping with the chaos and finding a mindset to help me survive.”
Andralis reflects on the difficult process of reorienting himself to a world altered by grief and the absence of a loved one. His close bond with his sister, a constant in his life, made the thought of losing her unimaginable. Songwriting became a therapeutic routine, offering a semblance of normalcy and a way to process his intense emotions.
Recorded with his band, The Syntonics, “The Worst Thing” features a unique sound characterized by synchronized breaths that almost resemble gasps, adding a raw, palpable layer of emotion. This deliberate act of breathing in the face of adversity underscores the song’s central theme of resilience.
