Snail Mail’s Lindsey Jordan on Existential Dread, Online Discourse, and the Future of Women in Rock
Lindsey Jordan, the musician known as Snail Mail, discusses her new album Ricochet, grappling with mortality, and the complexities of being a young woman in the indie music scene.
Five years ago, Lindsey Jordan’s obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) worsened after watching Charlie Kaufman’s 2008 film Synecdoche, New York, a surreal exploration of life and death. Jordan describes the film as triggering anxieties about “awful life spoilers” and disrupting her ability to be present.1 This destabilizing period heavily influenced her latest album, Ricochet, her third studio release following 2018’s Lush and 2021’s Valentine.
Ricochet delves into themes of mortality and existential dread, almost functioning as a concept album, according to Jordan. She distinguishes it from her earlier work, rejecting the label of a “diary record” and aiming for a more expansive exploration of her current state of mind.1
Navigating a Shifting Landscape for Women in Music
Jordan reflects on being grouped with other female artists in the late 2010s—including Phoebe Bridgers, Soccer Mommy, Lucy Dacus, and Mitski—who were often categorized as leading a new wave of “sad girl” indie music. While acknowledging the positive aspects of increased visibility for women in music, she believes the narrative created a “false idea that everything’s totally fine.” Jordan expresses concern that the industry may be reverting to a male-dominated landscape.1
Personal Struggles and Online Misconceptions
Jordan briefly alluded to a 45-day stint in rehab on a song from Valentine, sparking significant online speculation. She clarifies that her time in rehab was not related to substance abuse but rather a response to “gnarly s***” happening in her life, requiring intervention.1 She expresses frustration with the resulting “substance conversation” and the formation of false narratives about her. She wishes she hadn’t included the lyric, as it caused considerable trouble.1
She now largely avoids social media, except for promotional purposes related to Ricochet, finding it overwhelming and dominated by marketing algorithms.1
Creative Pursuits Beyond Music
Jordan also discusses her role in Jane Schoenbrun’s 2024 film, I Saw the TV Glow, where she played the lead in the indicate-within-a-film. She expresses a desire to explore acting further and potentially score a film, highlighting her passion for cinema.1
Despite past struggles, Jordan expresses optimism about her current state of mind. She feels she has learned from her mistakes and is no longer in danger of repeating past patterns. She even revisited Synecdoche, New York recently and found it comforting, having processed the anxieties it initially triggered.1
‘Ricochet’ is out March 27 on Matador Records. Snail Mail is performing at London’s Electric Ballroom on June 25.
- Jordan, Lindsey. “Snail Mail’s Lindsey Jordan on Existential Dread, Online Discourse, and the Future of Women in Rock.” The Independent, 26 Mar. 2026, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/snail-mail-lindsey-jordan-ricochet-interview-b2315898.html.
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