Bethany Cosentino, the lead singer of indie rock duo Best Coast, has released a new single titled “Easy” from her upcoming solo debut album Natural Disaster. The song is a piano-driven ballad that showcases Cosentino’s vulnerability and maturity as a songwriter.
“Easy” is about leaving behind unhealthy relationships and embracing the love of a supportive partner. Cosentino sings: “I have a tendency / To lean towards apathy / But you make me feel good / Like I know I should / Because it’s easy.”
Cosentino explained the inspiration behind the song in a press release: “I’m not someone who can sit still for long without my brain going into overdrive, but when I’m just sitting alone in my car, I feel peace. I had been thinking a lot about where my life was at 35 and how different it was from where I pictured I’d be. I’ve been writing love songs for a really long time, but this is the first love song I’ve ever written that feels … healthy.”
She added: “When I’m spinning and doubting myself and my life choices, tripping out on how dark the world feels, I remember the unconditional love of my partner and it snaps me back into reality and reminds me of what actually matters. When you’re not used to healthy, respectful love, it can be difficult to accept it and I find myself trying to push it away sometimes. This song is about accepting that love into your life and it’s by far the most vulnerable I’ve ever really allowed myself to get when it comes to writing about love. Love should make you feel good, as corny as that sounds!”
“Easy” follows the poppy lead single “It’s Fine”, which was released last month. Both songs will appear on Natural Disaster, which is set to drop on July 28 via Concord Records. The album was produced by Butch Walker in Nashville and features 10 tracks that explore Cosentino’s personal and artistic growth.
Cosentino decided to go solo after more than a decade of being part of Best Coast, a band she formed with guitarist Bobb Bruno in 2009. She cited various reasons for the hiatus, including the pandemic, climate change, the patriarchy, national tragedies, and a sense of dread.
“My identity as a human being, and as an artist, has been so wrapped up in Best Coast for over a decade,” she said. “The decision to pause the project indefinitely, and explore a new side of myself, was a very difficult one to make — but it felt necessary for me. Life is too short to not give yourself what you feel you need and want. I am excited about being just Bethany Cosentino for a while and figuring out who I am outside of the ‘Bethany from Best Coast’ box I’ve lived in for such a long time.”
You can stream “Easy” below and pre-order Natural Disaster here.
About Bethany Cosentino
Bethany Cosentino is an American singer-songwriter and musician best known as the frontwoman of indie rock duo Best Coast. She was born in Los Angeles, California in 1987 and grew up listening to classic rock, pop, and punk music. She started writing songs at an early age and formed her first band Pocahaunted when she was 17.
She moved to New York City to study creative writing at Eugene Lang College but dropped out after a year due to homesickness and dissatisfaction with the music scene. She returned to LA and met Bobb Bruno, a multi-instrumentalist who became her musical partner in Best Coast.
Best Coast released their debut album Crazy for You in 2010, which received critical acclaim and commercial success. The album featured lo-fi surf rock songs with catchy melodies and lyrics about love, weed, and California. The band followed up with three more albums: The Only Place (2012), California Nights (2015), and Always Tomorrow (2020).
Cosentino has also collaborated with other artists such as Wavves, Green Day, Weezer, Kid Cudi, Rivers Cuomo, Billie Joe Armstrong, Hayley Williams, and more. She is also an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness, feminism, animal rights, and social justice.
Natural Disaster is her first solo album under her own name.