Lil Nas X dropped his latest single on Jan. 26, but it’s a big departure from what some fans may think is typical from the rapper and artist. Lil Nas X’s “Where Do We Go Now?” is a much slower ballad, with meaningful lyrics that question his place in the world of music. After iconically giving a demon a lap dance in his “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” music video, fans were a bit skeptical of his new voice, but Nas is excited to embrace this new musical side of himself and share lyrics that seriously have such a deep meaning.
“Where Do We Go Now?” comes just two weeks after the release of Lil Nas X’s previous single, “J Christ.” For the last few months, it’s been no secret to fans that Lil Nas X has entered his Christian Era. As for “Where Do We Go Now?” the artist said about his new song, “I’m dropping new music to match with your depression,” which he posted on X.
The almost Christian-rock-like anthem, which will be the final song over the end credits of his new HBO documentary, Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, releasing on Saturday, Jan. 27 on Max, reveals all of the stages Lil Nas has gone through to be the singer he is today. Based on his Montero tour, Lil Nas structures his music around rebirth, transformation, and becoming. “Where Do We Go Now?” also motivates this musical mindset and shows how Lil Nas is really coming into his own as an artist and a person.
Lil Nas has bravely shared his journey of coming out to his family, and through his lyrics, he embraces his identity and expresses his sexuality. In his song, he poetically describes the struggles he faces, using imagery like, “This door in my home / Ain’t ever gon’ let me grow,” and, “Ain’t ever gon’ let me flow / These aimless rides on a boat / Have brought my tries to a halt.” These opening lines capture that feeling of being unable to fully express himself; however, Lil Nas mentions how he is just about to open those doors to embrace who he is.
Even though there will be ups and downs along the road, Lil Nas X is eager to figure out his path, as seen in the pre chorus, “So can we keep it going, keep it going? / ‘Cause I miss the moments when the mornings / Dawned on me / And I could see.” Then he talks about the back and forth between being where he wants to be and all of the obstacles blocking his way. “We’ve seen everything we had to see / We figured it out, my love / So where are we goin’? / So where do we go now? / We did everything so endlessly / And only to feel undone.”
In the face of his struggles, Lil Nas X says, “Suddenly, gravity’s just like me / Pullin’ me down every chance it gets / Holdin’ me bound to the way I is, oh / And therapy, there’s no need / It ain’t no good for me.” Lil Nas is accepting his flaws in order to persevere. Despite feeling weighed down by his past, Lil Nas seems like he is starting to be open to transforming into who he truly wants to be as the song’s final bridge exclaims, “Consoled inside / I just wanna be somebody new inside / I just wanna be somebody else out there / I just wanna be somebody.”
In a January interview with Extra, Lil Nas shared, “When I made this song, I’ll say that I’m still in that in-between period where so many things have happened, you achieved so much success, and you’ve met so many people.” While everything might be a lot different for the singer as he continues to rise to fame and finding his true self, Lil Nas X wants everyone to be hopeful about exploring this new territory and sticking to your roots to guide you.