Colleen Green has always been cool. Cool proves her touch again, all breezy hooks and big 90s guitars. The record plays with little dualities, the kind you feel as you get older: wanting one thing, wanting the opposite, trying to figure out which version of yourself makes sense today. Posi Vibes and It’s Nice to Be Nice glide with effortless charm, while Someone Else brings that college rock haze and quiet honesty. There is some heartbreak in there, Highway keeps it grounded, but mostly Cool floats. Sharp, sweet, confident. We talked to Colleen about the album and what inspired it.
★ Your latest release “Cool” explores a lot of interesting contrasts. Do these dualities reflect where you are in life now, or are they themes you’re naturally drawn to?
Colleen Green: I’m someone who assumes the grass is always greener on the other side. I want something until I get it, then I want its opposite. Age factors; I’ve racked up more experiences to overanalyze and question and the older I get, the more I wonder what the hell I’m doing and if I’ve made the right choices.
★ The album write-up for “Cool” on Bandcamp mentions your 2015 release, “I Want to Grow Up.” How does “Cool” differ from that earlier work? Do you think the Colleen from that era would admire the Colleen of today?
Colleen Green: I’m proud of how far I’ve come in my life and since “I Want to Grow Up”. Even in the past year I’ve made strides that are bringing me nearer to my personal goals.
★ What’s the most surreal thing that happened while you were recording “Cool”?
Colleen Green: It was pretty run-of-the-mill but meeting Gordon was a trip.
★ I’ve been listening to the album on repeat, and I get the sense that in your song “I believe in love”, you’re not being ironic. What’s the inspiration behind it?
Colleen Green: I’m never ironic. I believe in true love and I want that more than anything. Over the years I’ve thought about it a lot and realized it’s a huge responsibility and takes real character. That’s what the song is about.
★ Do you think you make pop music?
I do.
★ I know you joke about this, but what’s gonna happen when CG gets a million followers?
It’s not going to happen.
★ Describe yourself in three words.
Chill, nice, fun.
★ Last one. What’s a song you love with zero shame?
It’s old, but I love this one by Foster the People. I’m not ashamed.