Conan Gray Clings to a Toxic Lost Love on New Single, “Caramel”

Conan Gray, best known for his singles “Maniac!” and “Heather”, returns with “Caramel”, the latest single off his recently-released fourth album, “Wishbone” (the album was released on August 15, 2025 through Republic Records). “Caramel” follows the two previously-released album singles: the power ballad "This Song" and the Americana-esq. “Vodka Cranberry".

I like how a few parts of the track vaguely recall Coldplay’s “The Scientist”, with the lines, “Well, in the moment, you weren’t all that kind”, “Promises spoken, all coming back as lies” and “You’re cigarette breath thick on your open mouth”.

“Caramel”, produced by Dan Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo’s go-to producer) and Jon Buscema, finds Gray in familiar sonic territory (the singer’s previous album, 2024’s Max Martin-produced “Found Heaven”, didn’t connect as easily with fans).

Over a mid-tempo beat, Gray sounds most comfortable here, singing about a love interest whom he can never forget (despite being treated poorly by this person).

Despite all the unkindness and the lies, the singer can’t help but reminisce on a “wide-eyed grin” and “…you with your soft sweet kiss is all I miss in the back of my mind” in the first verse. This person is forever burned in Gray’s memory as he cries, “You caramel, you’re caramel”.

Verse two opens with gorgeous fall-esq. imagery of, “Maple and amber clouds and coffee grounds”. The brooding pop star reminds this mystery former lover, “You can act real cool 'cause it's over now, but, man, you cried when it all went down”. Gray is tired of this person playing the victim as he continues over musical triplet notes, “And no one believed me, you gaslighted feelings / ‘Til you had me thinkin’ that I was the reason that I was f***ing losing my mind!”. This time around, a line in the chorus slightly changes to, “And the longer burn, the sweeter that you smell”.

By the time the bridge comes up, Gray practically breaks down as he declares, “Sweet taste in my mouth / I can’t get it out …I want you back now …Now when I hear you’re in town, I just want caramel” further insisting, “Come over to my house / there’s space on my couch”.

Overall, “Caramel” is a welcome musical return to form for Gray, the king of sad bops.