There is something about Mental Health Awareness Week that seems to bring out the best in artists, perhaps it is being given the freedom to openly address an area that they might normally shy away from. Last year we had a sparkling effort from Brooke Law, and this year we have another gem, this time from Sorrel Nation. #TEAM21 recently spent an evening with Sorrel as she performed a showcase of absorbing engaging material and this song only further builds on that display. For assistance she has also engaged the services of long term #TEAMw21 favourite Steve Balsamo, who brings his own son of god like timbre to proceedings.
The song opens with Sorrel making a passionate plea her voice hovering between folk and Americana, beautifully enunciated. It comes tinged with the knowledge that it may not properly be heard.
The initial sound is predominantly acoustic guitar, Sorrel appears high in the mix, it really feels like she is addressing you through your speakers.
"Pull the wool off of your eyes
Face the way you feel for you yourself and I
I recognise you may not heal
You’re falling further and you feel there’s no way out
But this ain’t over
This ain’t over"
The chorus is a mixture of realism mixed with a resolve not to give up and to continue and a hopeful faith and optimism that love can conquer all. The layers of sound build with the arrival of percussion and piano
"We all need a reason in this life
A reason to get up and make it right
If you were gone you’d break my heart tonight
But this ain’t over for us
Life needs no reason but love"
Steve appears solo for the opening lines of the second verse,he brings an additional layer of empathy, it almost becomes a musical intervention. with Sorrel joining in to close out the verse. Their voices compliment each other to great effect. The overriding message being that the person in despair, no matter how lost they may feel is not alone and does have people that care for their overall well being.
"When the dark night takes your soul
And the Black Dog and your Demons take their hold
Just know you’re never on your own
I’ll build an army and I’ll bring you safely home"
The second chorus builds on the sonic palette with the arrival or a rich organ sound
As they approach the bridge the arrival of a backing choir and clapping only adds to the stirring nature of the song it gains an almost spiritual feel.
"Call my name
I’ll be your guiding light
Thru the long dark night
A reason to live
A reason to love
Life needs no reason but love"
The final section of the songs sees Sorrel and Steve take their separate melody lines and entwine them, which along with the choir providing a third melody and the musical backing makes for a rich swirling melting pot of sound, the listener is placed in a quandary as to which one to listen to - in the end it is best to just let it wash over you as one highly melodic wall of sound.