Singer-songwriter Ethel Cain delivers the brilliant, thought-provoking “Fuck Me Eyes,” the second single from her sophomore LP, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You.

“They all wanna take her out / But no one wants to take her home.” Ethel Cain (Hayden Silas Anhedönia) is a gifted singer-songwriter. Her debut album, Preacher’s Daughter, received widespread critical acclaim and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200. In 2025, she unveils her sophomore album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You. Following “Nettles”, Cain released a second and final single, the explicitly titled “Fuck Me Eyes”. Urban Dictionary describes fuck me eyes as ‘when someone looks at you like they want to fuck.’ Interestingly, Cain pays homage to the 1981 Kim Carnes pop classic, “Bette Davis Eyes”, on this six-minute-plus track. Cain wrote and produced “Fuck Me Eyes.” As the narrator, Cain examines a popular girl, earning all the attention from the boys.

“Fuck Me Eyes” is accomplished is so many ways.  The production and sound of the record are sublime. It begins with lighthearted synths and warm production –  a pop-oriented vibe. As the song progresses, the sound grows better. Cain’s performance matches the dynamic, expanded sound palette. Early on, her vocals are smooth. Not only is her tone lovely, but the vocal production is spot on, top-notch.  Adding to the beauty of the sound are select, harmonized vocal moments.  The chorus is memorable – one of the best moments of “Fuck Me Eyes.”

“Nowhere to go, she’s just along for the ride (She’s just along)

She’s scared of nothing but the passenger’s side

Of some old man’s truck in the dark parking lot (Parking lot)

She’s just tryna feel good right now

They all wanna take her out

But no one ever wants to take her home.”

Backtracking, all of the songwriting is captivating. A perfect example of characterization, Cain puts in the work to describe this complex, polarizing girl. “She’s got hair up to God, she’s gonna get what she wants,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “Her nails are heartbreak red ‘cause she’s a bad motherfucker.” In the second verse, she’s a contradiction, going to church post club… But, despite being confident and fearless (“Boy, if you’re not scared of Jesus, fuck around and come find out”), it’s ultimately a façade (“And when she leaves, they never see her wiping her fuck me eyes”).  In the bridge, Ethel has mixed views about her, asserting, “I’ll never blame her, I kinda hate her / I’ll never be that kind of angel / I’ll never be kind enough to me.” Ultimately, “Fuck Me Eyes” is a brilliant, thought-provoking song by Ethel Cain.  There is plenty to unpack, yet the poppier vibes, including the chorus, make this alternative singer-songwriter record accessible.