I made my friend listen to Ethel Cain | Preacher's Daughter Reaction 

To answer some of your questions and offer some clarifications (from a huge fan of Ethel Cain): 13:14 - According to Hayden, neither Ethel nor Willoughby actually lived in Nebraska! The "House in Nebraska" was something the two of them made up together as an escape fantasy. They went to a house at the edge of their hometown in Shady Grove, Florida and pretended that they were far away in their own Nebraskan farmhouse, away from their families and histories. 18:10 - Yes, Hayden plays all the piano on the album! Televangelism for example was originally a complete improvisation done by her on a piano with "sticky keys". She also plays the tambourine and harmonica on Thoroughfare. 32:35 - "This feels more hopeful" HAHA oh boy, you're in for a ride. 45:00-46:00 - "Whether this is a vampire or the devil" It's her hallucinations of God! Abandoning her/telling her this was always her fate/referencing the "original sin of womanhood" in the outro 46:04 - Ptolemea is pronounced tall-uh-MAY-uh just FYI :P It's the circle of hell dedicated to those who have betrayed guests, much like Isaiah betrays Ethel! 47:10 - Ethel is not actually dead yet in Ptolemea! Ptolemea is the period of her being held captive in his attic, drugged out and hallucinating as Isaiah continues to "use" her. She dies in August Underground. That's what the gunshot sound towards the end of that song is (heard at 49:45) 49:30 - Hayden wants it to be a movie someday, yes! But there are no official talks right now. However, she is in the process of writing a book series that follows the story of the "Ethel Cain Traumatic Universe," as it has been coined by fans. ____ REALLY recommend going through the lyric notes and summaries on Genius if you haven't already! The summaries for each song are written by Hayden herself, and a lot of the lyric annotations are taken directly from Hayden's answers to questions about the album. There is a LOT of lore about this album - there will be two more in this concept trilogy (Preacher's Wife and Mother of a Preacher), as well as a B-side for this album. Do you think you'll do a review of her Inbred EP? Not technically a part of Ethel's story, but is a... tonal prequel you could say? By how much you both liked the atmosphere of Family Tree/Western Nights, I think you'd LOVE the songs "Inbred" and "Two-Headed Mother" from it. Sorry for such a long comment, I have SO many thoughts about this album. I could write a legitimate thesis about it. There's so so much more interpretation of it that can be teased out with every listen and every lyric.

This is literally me forcing Ethel’s entire discography on my friends😭

"You've been jammin this on the reg... are you okay?" is the most accurate assessment ever of Ptolemea I've ever heard

Ngl when she said "I was too young to notice that some types of love could be bad" I had had a full-on beakdown. It wasn't my fault.

The fact that this album is almost entirely self-written and self-produced... It's astonishing, what an artist

I'm glad that you understood that this was Ethel's story, not Hayden's. Sometimes, there is confusion about that upon first listen. Yes, Televangelism was recorded on our old, slightly out of tune, 120 year old piano. Those are indeed the sustain pedals that you hear. 😊

Fun fact about thoroughfare: it’s not a reliable account of ethel and isaiah’s meeting. Hayden put a lot of work into this cinematic universe and made a missing poster for Ethel. On it, it says that people saw Ethel being forced into a car by a man. So she was actually kidnapped by Isaiah but either the drugs or Stockholm Syndrome made her tell it differently in the song.

I just really love that OBAMA had American Teenager on his favorite songs of the year… like the irony is so funny

watching people react to the last half of this album is my favourite hobby

FUN FACT: the reason why gibson girl sounds so “liquid” is to show how drugged up she is, and how slow the song is and the lyrics aswell

god loves you but not enough to save you is hands down my favorite lyric ever

I like how the “im making you feel sick” line in Strangers implies that Isaiah got food poisoning from eating Ethel, as a way to get revenge. I’m not sure if he dies because of it but the reason cannibalism is so bad (other than being just gross) is because eating human flesh is very, VERY, dangerous and can and will kill you if you do it enough, among just messing up your body and mind.

Just wanted to mention the importance of Ethel being trans. Seeing the record through that lense affects the entire story giving many lyrics different meanings. I don't think the full scope of violence in her life can be understood without that either. I know I'm a month late but im really excited y'all reacted to this ❤🙏

“And I still pray for that house in Nebraska” in Sun Bleached Flies always kills me bros

I always imagine August Underground as a wide shot of her running away from Isaiah's house late at night. He chases her as the music intensifies, and then she dies as the song fades out

Imagine writing the line "Downright Iconic" and making that line literally downright iconic. Ugh her mind.

I love that everyone who listens to this just falls in love with it.

whenever i hear the lines “jesus can always reject his father, but he cannot escape his mother’s blood, he’ll scream and try to wash it off of his fingers, but he’ll never escape what hes made up of” or “god loves you but not enough to save you” i have to pause and rewind a couple of times just to really process them because those are some of my favorite lyrics. its really a gut-wrenching album and i cry every time in listen to the full thing, sun bleached flies especially. i could literally talk for hours about this storyline

I’ve always thought that Willoughby, Ethel’s love interest in House in Nebraska, was alive. It makes the line at the end of Sun Bleached Flies all that more heartbreaking. “I’m still praying for that house in Nebraska…it’s all I know and it’s all I want now.” It hurt me more, personally, knowing that she COULD have had that life one day if things hadn’t turned out the way they did. Across the whole album, Willoughby and the love they shared was the brightest spot (except maybe her speaking to her mother at the end, but I’m looking forward to the next album in this series to expand that relationship more) and in her death that love was all she really wanted.

ethel is such a important musician, shes actually transfem and its amazing we have such a amazing new trans figure in pop music. shes talked about her love for lana so the comparison is definitely fair

1:00:53 the "he's a cannibal" and Zach's double take when he goes "he's--???" exchange got me dying 😂😂when I realized what the song was about I reacted the exact same way haha

would say thoroughfare is one of the more heaetbreaking songs on the album. despite it being her getaway song and being sonically brighter, ultimately it is the reason she ends up meeting her demise with her meeting isaiah.

Thank you both for taking the time to react to this album. It’s more than an album. It’s a musical experience. Ethel Cain deserves to be legend status for this seriously.

i am so glad hayden is getting the recognition she deserves. she’s an amazing songwriter and storyteller

i really appreciate that you put the lyrics on screen. its really the cherry on top.

I love the editing of the lyrics on the screen!! It adds such a nice detail to watch as you guys are experiecing the album

When I first listened to it I broke down crying at the end. Then I ate an edible and listened to the album on loop for about an hour. At the time I didn't know the backstory

I kinda always saw the "am I turning in your stomach, am I making you feel sick?" line as having two meanings: the literal sense, which you mentioned, and asking Isaiah if the thought of what he did ever turned his stomach with guilt

just passing by to say i love the editing of the lyrics

Friends don't let friends remain ignorant of Ethel Cain. You sir, are a good friend. :) Her music, her aesthetic, the visuals, the lyrics(I'm normally not even that into lyrics), the story...all of it...sucked me in deep. And what's even better....she has TONS of unreleased demos out there. Being a fan of Ethel is like being a Smashing Pumpkins fan. For every released song....there's at least 2 unreleased demos/outtakes/sketches. I mean, she has an entire 4 song EP of her take on _trap music._ And it's very _very_ good. Forget what it's called...but it has the song "Florida Heat" on it.

Also.....kudos to you for even DOING this. There's something super vulnerable about sharing music you deeply love......with someone you care about. Any time I do that...I'm tense lol. I want them to like it...I want them to pay attention...I'm focused on how THEY are taking it all in, hoping they're enjoying it....hoping it means as much to them as it does to me. Can anyone relate lol?

Many of the preacher dialogue in the album is taken from Hayden’s grandmother’s funeral

most relatable part of this video is having to physically restrain oneself from singing along

I have so much to say about this. This is my fave album from last year. Still is today. I LOVE that y’all broke this down. Bravo.

Ethel Cain is one of my favorite artists of all time and I'm glad you took the time to listen to Preachers Daughter in depth. Knowing her music is getting out there makes my heart feel full.

“These crosses all over my body” is deff a reference to her upbringing in the church, but I always took it the literal way as well considering Hayden has multiple tattoos of crosses all over lmao. Fun little double entendre 😊

Insanely good album. I love how Ryan sings along and mimics the instruments haha

Hard Times starts out sounding like a song from Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill and I swear to god there's a lot of Alanis influence on this album and she doesn't get enough credit for her impact on the sound of the 90s.

I fell in love with this album, and it was my introduction to Ethel Cain as well. I'm so happy to see more people react to her music and like it! Great reaction 😭❤️

This album seriously changed my life, i get goosebumps every time i listen to any song, and the production and lyricism is just so powerful. Hayden is genuinely like no other artist I've ever heard and I can't wait to see what she does in the future

this is just delightful! feels like im listening for the first time again

Great reaction video.. Love Ethel Cain and was priviliged to see her live in London UK 2022 it was so emotional, she is easily one of my favourite artists ever..

i enjoyed relistening to the album with yall!!!! preacher’s daughter needs to bigger!!

I really enjoyed watching this. It was kinda like hearing it all for the first time again, even though Ive listened to her a lot and for a while already, so thank you for that

The first time I listened to ptolemaea, I was already really depressed and listening to music just crying trying to make myself feel better and of course that song just happened to be in my recommended playlist. So it came on and it literally put me in psychosis like it just amplified all of my feelings by 1000. It’s such a powerful song and puts all of the hurt emotions into one. Genuinely a masterpiece

Watched this yesterday before I got to sleep. It was nice enjoying this amazing album with you guys. Sending lots of love from Argentina 🇦🇷

Also, it’s music like Ethel’s that just has a way to make you feel so nostalgic for a life you never even lived

Such an amazing album and you guys were great too!

I loved the reaction! Love how you guys dissect the songs and put your own perspectives into it.

so apparently: ethel and willoughby are from alabama, and the house in “nebraska” is at the edge of their town. they just call it nebraska, because thats their idea of a far away place where nobody lives.

I have American Teenager on loop during most of my work days 😂 The false sense of pop just hits different until you think of exactly how dark and depressing it actually is. Antiwar anthem for sure. The whole album overall is a hard to digest listen, but well worth it for an experience that lingers with you well after the first time. Well done reaction and explanation. :)

I didn’t know if I was crazy so I’m glad you said the thing about the Don’t Stop Believin’ lick in American Teenager.

i absolutely LOVE the storytelling of this album and im so excited you’re taking the time to react and break it down ❤️

this album is literally insanity 😭I love watching reactions to it sm especially because of the story it’s just so cool to see the pieces connect

46:23 I do be jamming this song on the reg. almost daily. It's just so crushing in the most cathartic way

This was my aoty last year. ITS AMAZING

The first time listening to the entire album was quite an experience. I had to take a pause when I was in the middle of family tree, had to talk to my mom about it lol. Went back to my room to finish the rest of it. My goodness, and finding out that she's writing a book about it, a possible movie as well? I will be there day 1. 🥰

she's the best

maybe the album cover is the polaroid mentioned in ‘strangers’!

Cool to see how much you guys have grown your channel

I was waiting to hear someone mention the Cranberries. I also hear Plumb (Tiffany Arbuckle)in it as well. Tiffany's lyrics deal with trauma and the struggke and hope. Another song by another artist that really is deep is, Larkin Poe. Their song, Mad as a Hatter is just so amazing. It's about watching a love one go down that rabbit hole that is Mental Illness/Dementia/Schizophrenia etc. Thanks for your reaction. When you said, ..."it sounds hopeful", my heart sunk and I was like, I wish. Never has an album made me cry like a little baby like the Preachers Daughter. I feel like I need a pint of Hagen Daz and therapy now. Lol 😢😅

i love the dynamic between u two, i had to subscribe lol

Probably one of the most perfectly made albums in history, I just love everything about it ! The storytelling, the music… literally everything !

The lookup at the lyrics during Gibson Girl PLZZZZZ 😂

This album reminds me so much of the novel A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Ethel and Jude have a lot in common... Also, highly recommend Akira Yamaoka's music if you want to experience more industrial horror akin to Ptolomaea 😖

I have a couple of thoughts: 1st the dude on the right seemed like he was on the verge of tears, and I understand that, Ethel’s songs make me fucking boiling my eyes out, it’s so impressive how this album touches my heart, I love Hayden for that, for her scrupulous and meticulous work on this project. I actually listen to it only at night, cause it hits harder. Once I walked home at night and there were no lights and Ptolemea played in my ears, and it was creepy and powerful, I was sure someone’s gonna kill me haha (I got home safely). But 2nd thought: I love how this guys give their opinion and not just react or assume things. I hate reaction videos cause they’re (sorry) quiet dumb, they do nothing just show their emotions and say “wow”, but this one is something different. I like your interpretations and options on this album, and I found out so much interesting information about this work!

I’m pretty sure that its a soprano sax played in the upper octave so it sounds very whiny and it almost translates as a fiddle within the production, its rly cool.

Sick lyric edit on your video!! 💕

THANK YOU FOR THIS.

Thank you for explaining the album for me, the best ❤

Wooo this album is such a doozy. Loved this video!

I'm guessing that was a soprano sax in sun bleached flies? Also if you're up for another 'weird' one I would recommend Magdalene by FKA twigs!!

53:36 I more think of the last two songs as her body and her spirit separately. Like sun bleached flies is her spirit finally at rest and thinking back on everything and coming to terms with what her life was and then strangers is just her body in the house with that guy eating her

Hayden is one of the most brilliant people to walk our planet. I love her.

also in strangers, hayden said that isaiah is not a cannibal by nature, he had a psychotic breakdown and ate a piece of her body, he didn't consume her entirely.

If you liked Ethel Cain, try _Emma Ruth Rundle,_ catches the Southern Gothic singer-songwriter/lush production vibe.

you should take a listen to SALEM’s Fires in Heaven. They were purveyors of the witch house genre and this album is a really powerful return post-10-year-hiatus. Really incredible from production standpoint

I wonder if when she says "He's cold-blooded so it takes more time to bleed" shes calling him a snake.

Love this!

green shirt guy always bringing taste.

Downright iconic

love this album

One of my fav albums of all time. also i think it’s time for a lana album on the channel

i love hearing the words of my mother, spread her holy word (music)

Loved listening along with you guys. Would love for you guys to do Harrys House!

Great review of a fantastic album! Could you please give us your opinion on Sawayama by Rina Sawayama (2020)? 💛

also the Inbred EP by Ethel!!

I love how tiny you look in the chair haha. Like a child whose feet don’t touch the ground so they flail them. That’s the marks of a comfy seat. Anyway, I discovered Ethel when I was looking for sexy sensual pole dance type songs and Gibson Girl came up after my queue on auto play and I was hooked

The themes of this album are fascinating

you should do ultraviolence by Lana, or her latest release “did you know there’s a tunnel under ocean blvd”. there’s also NFR which is her most critically acclaimed

The flies are actually a cicadas swarm!

when the guy said can I take shower after I thought to myself “and bathe me clean”🤣🤣

Ptolemae was actually about both angel and satan conversation

Maybe kind of a weird comparison but the timbre of Sun Bleached Flies reminds me so much of Beth/Rest on the Bon Iver self-titled LP.

It's interesting that you talk , objectively but with passion, about her big piano chords. Not long ago I read a snobby Reddit comment about how they could hear 'midi' (ie not 'acoustic') Can you add anything to this?

Ptolomaea is my favorite song since I e heard it. If anyone knows any other artist who makes music similar I would love to hear it.

When he said I’ll never be the same after ptolemea 😅😂

If you liked Preacher’s Daughter, I think you’ll also like I Didn’t Mean To Haunt You by Quadeca.

I think that you guys should listen to This is why by Paramore and definitely the 2 solo albums of Hayley Williams

Need a vinyl release any idea