Mothxr Spins A Dark Story Into Soothing Pop On “She Can’t Tell”

It's clear in Mothxr's healing new single "She Can't Tell" that tragedy is still the best ingredient for beautiful music. On the new track from their upcoming album Centerfold, frontman Penn Badgley—yes, that one—croons about the feelings associated with keeping a secret from a loved one over a melody fit for sunflower picking. Lyrics like Sometimes I need the pain/ It keeps me right give true testament to the lessons we can learn from dark times.

"This song is veiled more than it sounds--it’s got some kind of storyline on the surface but it’s about avoiding the truth, actually," Badgley told The FADER in an email about the track. "A threat of reckless endangerment. Someone is hurt, holding a powerful secret close to the vest and wondering what to do with it. And then you know it’s a sweet little pop formula twisted into a dark haze."

Pre-order Centerfold now, before it's available 2/26 via Washington Square, and listen to "She Can't Tell" below.