Ian Isiah Situationship (2018)
For the uninitiated, a situationship is the latest in the ever-evolving myriad ways Gen Y and now Gen Z have come to describe non-committal romantic and sexual relationships. From “friends with benefits” to “f*ckbuddies” to the paradoxically simple “it’s complicated.” The aversion to strict definitions and binary thinking may be groundbreaking, liberating and important to humanity’s evolution. But, when a relationship is defined by its lack of definitions and low levels of commitment, perhaps we need to revise.
At best situationships provide both parties a superficial introduction into romantically relating with another person, but most of these don’t become committed relationships. Generally it seems that only one party is getting their needs and expectations met in a situationship and the other is simply going along. Which isn't ideal or egalitarian. But, since people are now free to be physically intimate without being married, people also need to define what these interactions mean or don’t mean. Fear of commitment appears to be the primary reason for these amorphous “relationships.” But commitment isn’t all bad; one simply must just choose wisely.
NYC-based musician Ian Isiah, who has teamed up with Blood Orange in the past, pours his heart out on “Situationship”. The longing for clarity is crystal clear as Isiah ponders getting “love off the ground” in a beautiful falsetto. Hopefully we can all eventually figure it out. Luckily we have gorgeous music to help us through the maze of modern love.
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