Equal parts frantic emotional alt-pop about the present (think Olivia Rodrigo) and a kiss-off to the past, “End of an Era” is one of those songs that’ll get stuck with you. An alt-pop offering that serves as the title track to the EP of the same name, the song is bouncy and wants you to move and move on. That’s because Emei wants us to know that “it’ll be fine” once we move on from our past. The past is the past for a reason, and it’s not just to wax nostalgic about it. Instead, we’re to learn from it, grow from it, and not repeat the same mistakes we made in the past–especially if we want to grow for the present and future.

I’ve been there before, specifically over the last two years with my dissolution of my relationship with my sons’ mother. What I’ve learned during that time and because of the breakup has helped shape my current situations and has allowed me to grow. You’re never the same person when you finish something that you were when you started it. And while eras ending can be bittersweet, it can also set up greatness in the present and future. I mean, hell, just look at me. No, that’s not shade; my sons’ mom is great in her own right. It’s more that my maturation and personal growth has helped me blossom.

Check out the visualizer for the song below and support dope music in all its forms.