If Nevermore is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Sub Urban. It was released by AWAL on June 6, 2025, and serves as the follow up to his first studio album, Hive (2022). He began recording the album alongside Jake Weinberg between 2022 and 2024. The project was promoted through six singles—"Skinny Loser", "See Myself", "Make Me Forget", "Fingernails", "Mascara", and "In Sunder"—as well as an accompanying tour. The album was written and recorded in Los Angeles, with production handled by various record producers, including Arkane Skye and Geoffry Hufford. Upon release, If Nevermore had received praise from critics.
Background and recording In 2019, Sub Urban signed to the American record label Warner Records, following the virality of his song "Cradles". The next year, Maisonneuve released his debut extended play (EP), Thrill Seeker; which spawned his second major hit, "Freak". Following the release of his debut studio album, Hive, in 2022, Sub Urban had begun working on new material for If Nevermore. Recording took place between 2022 and 2024, with the album expanding on his "dark" and "theatrical pop" style. In an interview, Sub Urban had stated that: "This entire independent project spans some of my deepest turmoil from the start of my career ‘til now. Uphill battles I may never get to genuinely speak on through any other voice but music. Reality became less definitive when some of these songs were realized. Thank you to the ones who can hear me through all these raging walls and continue to follow me into the dark".
Composition
If Nevermore is a dark pop album that incorporates elements of various genres. The album consists of 14 tracks and clocks out at about 43 minutes. "Hiraeth" is a theatrical song that mixes reverse sounds, beat skips, and a "dark", "alluring vibe", which is "simply enchanting". Production for the album was handled by multiple record producers, including Sub Urban himself, Daniel Garrity, and Elle Rizk, among others.
Release and promotion The album's lead single "Skinny Loser" was released on September 20, 2024. Sub Urban had later officially announced If Nevermore in March 2025, with the release of the double singles "Make Me Forget" and "Fingernails". On June 6, 2025, If Nevermore was released through AWAL. In April 2026, Maisonneuve would release If Nevermore (Anhedonia); an expanded edition of If Nevermore, which included the additional EP Anhedonia. Throughout September and October 2026, Maisonneuve is expected to embark on The Bell Tolls headlining tour across North American in support of If Nevermore (Anhedonia).
Critical reception Emily McCormack of Melodic Magazine wrote that "The sound itself is liminal, chaotic, and chill all wrapped in one". The reviewer felt that If Nevermore was one of "[his] most powerful works yet". While in another review, she regarded "Skinny Loser", the album's lead single, as one of its standout tracks.
Track listing
Notes
Track 8 is stylized as "Clip thru U." Track 12 is stylized in sentence case as "Fill this empty mall with water and ivy."
Personnel Credits adapted from Tidal.
Daniel Maisonneuve – songwriting, production, mixing Arkane Skye – electric guitar Skye Abrams – songwriting Graydon Fritzching – engineering, mastering Daniel Garrity – production
References