Rob Eberle traces a devastating time in his life with ‘SIGNAL FADES’

Recommended Tracks: “FIRST TO GO,” “IN YOUR DREAMS,” “YOU & I”
Artists You Might Like: Will Linley, Caleb Hearn, Aidan Bissett

If you and your partner called it quits, what would you do? Would you cry? Explode? Tell all your friends? Keep it to yourself? You probably wouldn’t write an album about it and share it with the world, but for Rob Eberle, this was a way to process and heal. On his debut album, SIGNAL FADES, the emerging pop artist describes what it was like to come out of a long-distance relationship with someone he loved, from the realization that it was over to the complicated process of moving on.

The album starts with “TIME ZONE” and “SIGNAL FADES,” which touch on the unraveling of the relationship. “TIME ZONE” is a raw and open ballad, complete with rising melodies, forlorn vocals, and reflective lyrics. We learn parts of what went wrong as Rob sings, “We promised not to let go / But love never grows in a different time zone,” suggesting that the distance was a factor. On the title track, Rob shares more of the story, and ultimately ends up asking, “As the signal fades, does love remain?” Even though there is a dejected tone to the lyrics, the track has a dancey, indie-pop vibe sonically, providing a vibrant contrast to the previous track.

Rob then stands up for himself and holds his ground on “LYING WITH THE ENEMY,” doing his best not to fall back into the relationship. His voice becomes more emphatic against the electric guitar lines, channeling his rage. He sings, “You expect me to cave and be your only one” and “I miss the way you feel, but this don’t feel right,” knowing that he is better off alone. There’s also “PRESSURE,” which takes on a dark pop vibe with speedy beats and bitter lyrics. Here, Rob refuses to be made the fool, observing, “I told my friends you were the one, you told yours you’re moving on.” In the end, it seems as if his only mistake was thinking that this other person would be able to handle his love. This journey from lovers to exes is complicated, but it’s even more so when the ex who broke it off is the one who wants to get back together. Rob tells us as much on “NEW YORK MINUTE,” where we find out just how much of a toll the breakup is taking on him. He sings, “You spend Sundays up in your head / Telling me that you miss our bed / But you broke it off, I had to be bulletproof,” but he shares that he is not as bulletproof as he wants to be when he admits, “I wish that I just wasn’t so attached to you.” While he wants to be as strong as possible during this, he can’t help but feel vulnerable.

Of course, it’s common to have moments of weakness, where you reminisce on the relationship and let old desires get the best of you. On the tender ballad “WE’LL NEVER SAY,” Rob has trouble processing that shift from being with someone he thought he had a future with to being alone. His voice is heavy against the light piano melodies as he sings, “We used to be so much fun” and “Now I’m drowning in words we’ll never say.” In the end, he figures that “desire never fades,” leaving him to hang onto those unsaid words forever. He also claims that “nobody wants to break up” on “FIRST TO GO,” as he second-guesses certain actions. The track is more in the pop realm with rhythmic beats and flashy melodies, taking some of the pain in the lyrics away. He is not fond of the idea that he will be replaced by someone better, and he wishes that things could’ve worked out.

But near the end of the album, Rob has regained his strength and is ready to move on. He gives us a soft breakup track with “FOREVER ENDS RIGHT NOW,” which is in the synth-pop realm. Based on the title, you can tell that Rob is drifting away from the fantasy of spending forever with his presumed soulmate and is embracing reality. He sings, “I’m not trying to erase you or trying to replace you / But I need some space now,” hoping that the distance will give him some clarity. If not clarity, then maybe some confidence, which is what we hear on the following “IN YOUR DREAMS.” The mood is still bright sonically, placing us in a celebratory state. Meanwhile, Rob sings, “They always say the one who wanted out is always the one who’s coming back around / But I won’t pick the phone up now,” and nearly threatens, “The only way you’re seeing me again is when I’m in your dreams,” committing to the break. On the closing “YOU & I,” he has one final say. The track is very expansive-sounding, with sentimental guitar strumming and warm melodies. There is a fullness to it that feels right, feels appropriate for a final song. All the while, Rob expresses, “Save your sorrys if it felt right to let go of you and I,” wanting the ex to own up to what they did. He also rationalizes, “Feeling young and afraid is better than hearts growing cold,” accepting that the break was necessary, even if the aftermath is scary.

Overall, SIGNAL FADES traces a devastating time in Rob Eberle’s life. He shared on social media, “At the beginning of this year, I went through a really tough breakup and found myself in a pretty dark place. But looking back now, I’m endlessly grateful for that experience and how it shaped this music and who I’ve become because of it.” As you listen to the songs, you can see the mental and emotional toll that this break had on him, but you can also hear the healing. It’s a bold move to share your personal life through songs, but if doing so can help yourself get better—or help others get better—then it’s a worthy move.