Drew Schueler's new song, "I Thought By Now," taps into a quiet fear that many people have but don't talk about, the unsettling realization that life hasn't turned out the way you thought it would by now. The song doesn't try to improve things right away, but it sits with that discomfort and lets uncertainty, frustration, and reflection all be present in one powerful listen.
The track starts off in a soft, thoughtful place, which sets a reflective mood right away. It feels like you're looking inside yourself and taking stock of what you wanted but didn't achieve and what you still don't know. This quiet start feels personal, like a late-night chat with yourself when the world finally quiets down. It gently pulls the listener in, giving them time to think about the feelings that are happening below the surface.
The music builds into a wall of sound, just like how holding on to doubt and fear for too long makes you feel. This change feels planned and deserved, like the moment when thinking about something becomes letting it go. The anger and worry about the future aren't hidden or downplayed, they explode into a strong expression of what it feels like to be stuck between who you are and who you thought you'd be by now.
"I Thought By Now" is especially interesting because it is easy to relate to. The song doesn't see uncertainty as a failure but as something that everyone goes through. That honesty makes the explosive ending feel freeing, giving listeners a sense of release instead of resolution. Schueler doesn't present himself as an expert, which contributes to the song's potent impact.