Ethel Cain is back with a captivating new single, “Punish,” the lead track from her forthcoming project, Perverts. This latest release marks Cain’s first new material since her acclaimed 2022 debut, Preacher’s Daughter, and offers an entirely fresh, experimental direction for the artist who defies categorization.
Punish strips away any last whispers of “pop” from Cain’s music, diving deeper into an ambient, textural world. Produced, written, and mixed by Cain herself, the song hints at an evolving soundscape—one both immersive and unsettling, where her haunting voice and meticulously crafted production converge. This sonic transformation, described by Cain as “texture-driven,” speaks to her evolving artistry and creative autonomy. Fans are poised to experience a side of Cain that’s braver, darker, and unafraid to embrace the unknown.
In the press release, Mother Cain offers a glimpse into the thematic exploration of shame and self-justification within Perverts, asking, “Would I tell myself it’s not my fault and I couldn’t help myself? Would anyone truly believe that? Would I?” It’s a question that resonates through Punish, setting a reflective, almost confrontational tone as listeners are drawn into her introspective journey.
Notably, Perverts is not intended as a traditional album, although its 90-minute length is substantial. Recorded over the last year between Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, and Tallahassee, Florida, the project leans into the ambient qualities that gave Preacher’s Daughter its eerie allure. In an expansive prose passage accompanying the announcement, Cain elaborates on this sonic and spiritual exploration:
“As I went there through the long, long wood… I was alone and I was at ease. Yet came the day the trees broke, the corridor ended, and I was thrust upon the rocky expanse that was the Great Dark.”
With Perverts, Cain’s words and music evoke a world that feels both alien and eerily familiar—a visceral exploration of isolation, temptation, and desire. From her poetic vision to the intense soundscapes, this project represents a deeply immersive artistic endeavor that Cain’s audience will undoubtedly want to experience.
With Punish, Ethel Cain takes another bold step forward in her journey. As she continues to unravel new sounds and stories, it’s clear that Cain remains an uncompromising visionary, willing to push boundaries and take listeners to places few dare to tread.