S. Holden Jaffe, known in the music industry as Del Water Gap, has been making music on and off for about ten years. He recently released his second album titled, I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet. The album consists of twelve tracks with five pre-released singles. His music was made popular by the song Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat which averages almost one million streams a week. Currently on a North American tour, he recently stopped in New York to perform at Brooklyn Steel. There he was able to take over the stage performing old and new songs in his hometown with many of his friends and family. Although he is on a headline tour currently, he has previously opened up for Maggie Rogers and Girl in Red. His sophomore album is titled in honor of his late grandfather, whom he was extremely close with as a child. In a letter to his wife (Jaffe’s grandmother), he concluded it by saying I miss you already and I haven’t left yet. Jaffe himself opens himself up on the topic of his struggle with substances, and how he has been on a sobriety journey which ties into many of the songs, specifically with self-improvement themes. The album also focuses on the loss of who Jaffe used to be and the people who have left his life.
All We Ever Do Is Talk
The first song on the album, Del Water Gap released “All We Ever Do Is Talk” as the first single. Jaffe wrote about a relationship with a lack of physical connection after some time. Originally both of the people discussed had amazing chemistry with each other, but as the relationship evolves the relationship becomes bland, and their relationship becomes focused on conversations. This leaves the protagonist annoyed and confused wondering how the pair lost their spark, wondering if it would return.
Losing You
The focus of track two of the album is on a potential breakup of a relationship. The narrator has messed up while in a relationship and recognizes that he acted on an impulse by saying something he should not have. He still feels like he is right in this specific scenario, but concurs that winning the argument is not worth losing the relationship.
Quilt of Steam
Also released as a single on this album, Del Water Gap worked in collaboration with Arlo Parks to create this song. It focuses on personal experiences they both encountered after finishing a tour. Returning home after months, the protagonists discuss the beauty in things they had not noticed before. One of the lyrics in the chorus, “quilt of steam rising off the radiator” specifically targets unfamiliarity, not only with surroundings but also with people turning into strangers.
NFU
This song creates a personal connection between the artist and the audience as a common experience after a breakup. Jaffe’s lyrics throughout the song give the impression that the protagonist is drunkenly calling his ex. He tells his ex that he just misses them. He seems to be having a mental crisis about whether or not the feelings that the other person felt towards him are real, or if he just made it up.
Doll House
The narrator emphasizes the universal struggle to find a genuine connection with a person in today’s society. He desperately wants someone to whom he can express his emotions so that will not be judged. He wants to be seen. Having someone who truly understands you and wanting someone to truly care may seem difficult to people. Not only does the narrator want someone to be there for them, but they also want to be there for their partner.
Gemini
Gemini discusses the protagonist’s experience when meeting a woman one night. Not being in the right state of mind, he treats her poorly but desires a deeper connection. Throughout the song, the narrator expresses that he feels that when he needs her, he will call her and she will be there. He seems to desire a deeper connection, but she is unamused, especially after he treats her as poorly as he does. He recognizes this but also fails to correct his behavior thus leaving him alone.
Coping on unemployment
The second released single on the album is relevant to many people in their twenties navigating a post-pandemic world. The lyrics focus on growth and how difficult it is to create meaningful connections with people and learn how to love them when you still have no idea who you are yourself. Jaffe targets a hard-hitting fear of many creatives, that being sober will ruin his music. The relatability of this song contributed to its success and the reason it is a single on the album.
Beach House
One of the things that Del Water Gap has struggled with is substance abuse issues. This song discusses the spirals that he most likely went through during addiction issues. The theme of self-destruction and feeling like a burden to others is a focus. One of the issues is that negative thinking causes more spiraling, thus a cycle. The protagonist in this song is under the influence and struggling which is apparent also in the sound of the song.
Glitter & Honey
One of the more elusive parts of the album, “Glitter & Honey” depicts the protagonist’s infatuation with a certain type of stylish and mystic woman. He describes her as sweet but also busy and most likely popular. Her involvement with nightlife and her hatred of the music that the protagonist makes creates a type of tension that he cannot get out of his head, hence the idea of glitter and honey, both of which are impossible to get out of anything.
Want It All
The narrator is struggling with loyalty to his partner and realizes that it is not a smart move for him to mess around with other women. This creates a negative self-thinking, especially because he misses his ex. The self-realization that it would hurt his partner stops him but doesn’t stop him from wanting everything. This will eventually lead him to get nothing.
Gone in seconds
A ballad about loss, Del Water Gap embraces the themes of people leaving your life, whether or not you want them to. It focuses on how fast people leave you, and you never hear from them again. The protagonist of this song has issues mourning a relationship they believed would last forever. It seems that he understands why she left him, because of all she went through in life, but he never thought it would be over.
We Will Never Be Like Anyone Else
The protagonist in this song seems to be seeking validation from a romantic partner. He is discussing how the uniqueness of their relationship will continue to be unique forever and won’t conform to societal standards. The sense of desire for their partner through this song proves loyalty and faithfulness.
The worldbuilding throughout this album puts you right where the narrator is, and you can create a better understanding of who Del Water Gap is as a person. The experiences that he went through to write the songs included have the ability to relate to many people, therefore creating a bond. The emotion and meaningful lyrics allow the listener to feel the longing for the past, and the reality of grief as a part of the human experience. If you have not listened to I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet, this is your sign to!