Will Swinton’s “Hate My Guts”: The Brutal Honesty of a Breakup

We’ve all been there—that specific, gut-wrenching moment after a breakup where you realize you’re the one who caused the wreckage. It’s an uncomfortable place to be, and it’s exactly where Will Swinton lands on his latest single, “Hate My Guts”

If you’ve been following the New Zealand artist’s trajectory, you know he doesn’t do “fluff.” Since dropping his December EP, Swinton has carved out a lane in indie-pop that feels lived-in, dusty, and painfully real. With this new track, he’s turned that dial up even further.

The Art of the Apology

“Hate My Guts” isn’t your typical “I’m sorry” song. It’s a desperate, messy plea for a little bit of mercy. The lyrics feel like a text message you’d write at 3:00 AM that you’re too scared to actually hit send on:

“You should know I’m not too proud, I know that I fcked things up / It’s okay to call me out, but you don’t have to hate my guts.”*

There’s no posturing here. He isn’t trying to make himself look like the hero, or even the tragic martyr. He’s just admitting that he messed up, and he’s asking his ex to hold back just enough so it doesn’t sting quite so much. It’s human, it’s flawed, and it’s incredibly easy to relate to.

The Sound of a Heartbreaking Mid-Summer

Produced by Joe Reeves and written with Nick Lopez, the track does a great job of reflecting that internal conflict. It starts off small—just a lonesome guitar line that feels like sitting in an empty bedroom—before swelling into a full-band arrangement that hits like a wave. It mirrors the feeling of trying to keep it together while your head is spinning.

It’s a clear step forward for Swinton, following up tracks like “Only One” and “Better Off” with a sharper, more focused edge. He’s proving that the best songs often come from being willing to look like the bad guy for a few minutes.

Catch Him Live

If you want to experience that raw energy in person, you’re in luck. The “Hate My Guts” release lines up with his upcoming North American tour, which kicks off at Lollapalooza on August 2. He’ll be tearing through cities all month, closing out the run in Brooklyn on August 26.

If you’ve been waiting for a breakup song that doesn’t feel like it was manufactured in a studio, give this one a spin. It’s refreshing to hear someone just own their mistakes without any bells and whistles.