“Pretending
It Fades” is not the first song to explore how relationships can leave an
indelible mark on our perspective after the relationship has run its course. Going
back to 1969, Joni Mitchell released “Both Sides Now,” which touched upon
how past experiences with romance caused a transition from viewing love as “Moons
and Junes and Ferris wheels” to being “just another show.” But the
recent release from The Upsides brings this concept to life particularly
vividly, noting that certain smells—such as “rain on wood”—can awaken
powerful memories, while familiar sounds can instantly transport you “right
back in their corner.”
The band describes “Pretending It Fades” as “probably the most straightforward ‘breakup song’ on the [upcoming] album. Some imagery is specific to the relationship in question but there’s a more general and nuanced message around loss. At first, the chorus reads ‘these wounds are taking longer to heal than I thought,’ but as a whole the lyrics say something more like ‘maybe these aren’t actually wounds - this relationship changed me and I’m getting used to my new shape.’”
Instrumentally, the strength is the crystalline guitar that shimmers in the melody, particularly during the verses. In comparison, the chorus is more powerful, allowing the drumming to play a more significant role.
The Upsides are an indie rock band based in New York City. The members are brothers Matt (guitar and vocals) and Dan Fullam (drums) alongside longtime friends Hart Mechlin (lead guitar), Pat Freeman (keys, guitar), and Matt DaSilva (bass). The band is scheduled to release the album “In the Maze” on October 16, 2026 via Dream Wolf Records. Including “Pretending It Fades,” The Upsides have shared three of the eleven tracks from the album. While discussing the themes and origins of the album, Dan Fullman shared,
“I view ‘In The Maze’ as a succumbing in a way to the chaos and unpredictability of life, and so it’s up to you individually to sort out which path you want to take within that thresher. So many people live with regrets that they chose a comfortable, cookie-cutter life, while so many people love the stability of a certain job, the warmth of family which keeps them sane and away from chaos and that’s beautiful too. I think the smartest people, regardless of what they accomplish in life, find that there are zero universally ‘right’ answers to anything. You do your best, and then you’re dead basically. So go for what you want - the job, the partner, the creative endeavor - and go for it now.”
“Pretending It Fades” by The Upsides
The band describes “Pretending It Fades” as “probably the most straightforward ‘breakup song’ on the [upcoming] album. Some imagery is specific to the relationship in question but there’s a more general and nuanced message around loss. At first, the chorus reads ‘these wounds are taking longer to heal than I thought,’ but as a whole the lyrics say something more like ‘maybe these aren’t actually wounds - this relationship changed me and I’m getting used to my new shape.’”
Instrumentally, the strength is the crystalline guitar that shimmers in the melody, particularly during the verses. In comparison, the chorus is more powerful, allowing the drumming to play a more significant role.
The Upsides are an indie rock band based in New York City. The members are brothers Matt (guitar and vocals) and Dan Fullam (drums) alongside longtime friends Hart Mechlin (lead guitar), Pat Freeman (keys, guitar), and Matt DaSilva (bass). The band is scheduled to release the album “In the Maze” on October 16, 2026 via Dream Wolf Records. Including “Pretending It Fades,” The Upsides have shared three of the eleven tracks from the album. While discussing the themes and origins of the album, Dan Fullman shared,
“I view ‘In The Maze’ as a succumbing in a way to the chaos and unpredictability of life, and so it’s up to you individually to sort out which path you want to take within that thresher. So many people live with regrets that they chose a comfortable, cookie-cutter life, while so many people love the stability of a certain job, the warmth of family which keeps them sane and away from chaos and that’s beautiful too. I think the smartest people, regardless of what they accomplish in life, find that there are zero universally ‘right’ answers to anything. You do your best, and then you’re dead basically. So go for what you want - the job, the partner, the creative endeavor - and go for it now.”
“Pretending It Fades” by The Upsides
Website: https://www.theupsidesband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsidesnyc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsides_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsidesnyc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsides_/
Lyrics of “Pretending It Fades” by The Upsides
Walk with me now
A hand to hold loosely
I stumble on Belgian block through streets
Heart in my mouth, as you look right through me
A dream that ends in a fall
I smell the rain on wood, the gas catching
flame
And the past wears a perfect face
The house would never have stood, but time plays these games
I’m sure you’re the same
I go along, pretending it fades with the
seasons
But it’s cold outside
And I’m holdin’ on to pictures you made me believe in
I believe in ‘em now though
You’d say there’s always a reason
And I’d just laugh
But now I believe
Lying on your porch outside in the boundless
night sky
I watched our whole lives unfold
For a second more, for all time
It’s all that my mind could hold
I go along, pretending it fades with the
seasons
But it’s cold outside
And I’m holdin’ on to pictures you made me believe in
And I keep ‘em with me now
Always wish you were around
Even though I can’t afford ya
I get hit with all the sounds and I’m right back in your corner
But I got it figured out, got your wisdom with
me now
And my picture of the morning
I know it never let you down
I hope it never lets you down
I smell the rain on wood, the gas catching
flame
And time plays a ruthless game
I’m sure you’re the same
I go along, pretending it fades with the
seasons
But it’s cold outside
And I’m holdin’ on
I listen in vain for a reason
But I think I’m with you now
Always wish you were around
Even though I can’t afford ya
I get hit with all the sounds and I’m right back in your corner
But I got it figured out
Got your wisdom with me now and my picture of the morning
I know it never let you down
I hope it never lets you down
Walk with me now
A hand to hold loosely
I stumble on Belgian block through streets
Heart in my mouth, as you look right through me
A dream that ends in a fall
And the past wears a perfect face
The house would never have stood, but time plays these games
I’m sure you’re the same
But it’s cold outside
And I’m holdin’ on to pictures you made me believe in
I believe in ‘em now though
And I’d just laugh
But now I believe
I watched our whole lives unfold
For a second more, for all time
It’s all that my mind could hold
But it’s cold outside
And I’m holdin’ on to pictures you made me believe in
Always wish you were around
Even though I can’t afford ya
I get hit with all the sounds and I’m right back in your corner
And my picture of the morning
I know it never let you down
I hope it never lets you down
And time plays a ruthless game
I’m sure you’re the same
But it’s cold outside
And I’m holdin’ on
I listen in vain for a reason
Always wish you were around
Even though I can’t afford ya
I get hit with all the sounds and I’m right back in your corner
But I got it figured out
Got your wisdom with me now and my picture of the morning
I know it never let you down
I hope it never lets you down
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