From the moment the atmospheric guitar soundscape opens Reckless Enough to Be Free, Ivory Lake, aka Joshua Watts, pulls us into a dream-like realm of introspection and raw emotion. The immersive textures layered into the production are sublime, almost cinematic, setting the tone for a track that isn’t afraid to explore the complexity of life’s “what ifs.” Watts’ captivating vocal performance adds another dimension, bringing his introspective prose to life with a nouveau-theatrical edge that feels self-realized and unapologetically personal.
In Reckless Enough to Be Free, Watts reflects on the perennial human dilemma – knowing what you want but not being bold enough to seize it. His lyrics are both situational and relatable, referencing everything from personal struggles to the modern-day doom scroll, anchoring the song in the present yet timeless in its emotional resonance. As he sings about the fear of not chasing dreams, there’s a vulnerability in his tone that strikes a universal chord, making the song feel like a confessional to anyone who’s ever hesitated at the edge of possibility.
One of the most striking aspects of the song is its impeccable production. The soundscape, at once cohesive and expansive, provides a seamless backdrop for Watts’ high emotional quotient. The guitars shimmer like waves at twilight, while the subtle intricacies in the arrangement unfold like a slow revelation. There’s a cinematic quality to the way the sound builds, intensifying the emotions, before unraveling into the outro – stripped back with a luscious piano. This minimalist conclusion lends a delicate charm to the track, reinforcing its emotional depth and capping off Watts’ message with quiet power.
What makes Reckless Enough to Be Free especially poignant is how it balances beautifully nihilistic lyrics with lush instrumentation, a hallmark of Watts’ work as Ivory Lake. His self-reflective narrative of not being reckless enough to pursue true desires is underscored by an unapologetic energy—both in the song’s arrangement and its delivery. It’s as if Watts is wrestling with his own shortcomings, but in doing so, he offers listeners a sense of catharsis, making them feel seen in their own fears.
Ivory Lake’s sound taps into something familiar yet entirely fresh. There’s a modernity in his approach that aligns with the introspective indie-pop of artists like Phoebe Bridgers, The 1975, and Nothing But Thieves, yet his storytelling feels more lived-in, more battle-worn. The influence of sun and sea – the vividness of his southern Spain surroundings – pulses through the track, even as he tackles themes of depression and digital addiction. His journey, having left school at 15 to travel the world with bands and as a solo artist, echoes in the emotional weight of the song. It’s the sound of someone who’s been through the wringer, yet still clings to a flicker of hope.
For all its emotional depth, Reckless Enough to Be Free is, at its core, an indie pop torch song – a reflection of human vulnerability wrapped in soaring choruses and hauntingly beautiful production. As the song fades out on those final piano notes, there’s a lingering sense of yearning – both for Watts and for us – a reminder of the dreams left unrealized, and the courage it takes to go after them. It’s a track that cements Ivory Lake’s status as an artist with the rare ability to blend personal experience with universal appeal, offering music that is as haunting as it is hopeful. We have added the opus to our New Music Spotlight playlist and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Ivory Lake’s wider discography, including My Little Flowers, and Cigarettes.