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about
Rae Lou invites us into her own musical world with her debut song, ‘Suffocate’.
She sees her songs in colour and word paints on a musical canvas,
creating “art for the ears".
Her first release, mixes darker colours and themes in a bold and brooding song.
‘Suffocate’ deals with themes of mental health, anxiety and was inspired by the upcoming UK feature film, ‘Watching Goldfish suffocate’.
“The film title and image itself, of a goldfish suffocating, was just so evocative that it inspired a whole storyline for a song and I really wanted to paint a musical picture. The lyrics delve into the relationship with self and I clearly imagined a character having a conversation in the mirror when I wrote the chorus. It’s very much a call to action, imploring “don’t just watch me suffocate…”, pleading yourself to help yourself when you’re stuck in a dark place.”
The song’s production is a beautiful pairing of stripped back keys and vocals. UK-based producer, George Fitzgibbon, manages to create the perfect balance of drama and intimacy needed for a sensitive and raw track of this kind. The song’s surging, pulsating piano brings to mind the beauty and simplicity of composer Philip Glass, in its minimalistic and repetitive nature. The haunting of the keys, beneath Rae Lou’s emotional vocals, all works to create a very charged and dramatic sound, drawing you into the journey of the song.
“I’m really excited about this song. I’ve had faith in it since I first wrote it, so I hope that listeners can connect with the lyrics on some level and that it might deepen the discussion on mental health. It’s like my dear friend and vocal coach Lorraine Harris-Roche put so well, “Let’s face it, nobody suffers beautifully”, but music holds the beautiful power of connecting us more with our emotions, so I like to think that’s what this song has the power to do.”
lyrics
All this apprehension is expensive
Costing me my peace of mind,
I’m losing it one piece at a time.
All this angst in me, anxiety, I’m tired of me,
Craving some stability
A chance so I can breathe.
Feel like I could shatter into 10,000 pieces when it seizes and takes control
This black dog depression in this dark black hole
Don’t just watch me suffocate
Don’t just leave me here in pain, not again, oh no
Don’t just leave me struggling, help me please recover me,
I’m suffering… suffering. I’ll suffocate
Help me escape the feeling
Head’s at the ceiling
I’m drowning, drown this stranger please these feelings are not me
I’m climbing up the walls
Help me scale the fall
Am I waving or am I drowning?
Swimming against the tide whilst smiling out of pride
It’s like watching goldfish suffocate
A little lost soul in this big worry bowl
When all the gold and glitter’s gone
You’re all on your own
Don’t just watch me suffocate
Don’t just leave me here in pain, not again, oh no
Don’t just leave me struggling, help me please recover me,
I’m suffering… suffering. I’ll suffocate
Don’t just watch me suffocate
Don’t just leave me here in pain, not again, oh no
Don’t just leave me struggling, help me please recover me,
Don’t just watch me suffocate
Don’t just leave me here in pain, not again, oh no
Don’t just leave me struggling, help me please recover me,
I’m suffering… suffering.
Don’t let me suffocate.
credits
released April 28, 2023
- Produced, Mixed & Mastered by producer George Fitzgibbon
- Instrumentation by George Fitzgibbon
- Lyrics, Melody & Composition by Rae Lou
- Lead vocals by Rae Lou
- Photos & Graphics by Rae Lou via Canva
- Music Distribution by CD Baby
- Recorded at Pear Studios in Stockport, UK
Singer-songwriter & independent artist, Rae Lou (short for Rachael Louise) grew up in Manchester, UK but has spent a big
part of her life in Asia.
She found her voice singing on the Hong Kong circuit.
After years performing live, Rae now turns her attention to songwriting.
Rae invites us into her artistic world, and calls it her "musical canvas". Her debut song Suffocate was released April 2023....more
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