Track of the Day: Clare Easdown – STIGMA ENIGMA (2024)
The degree of mental health awareness is on the rise in today’s society, particularly the increase in cases of depression during and post-COVID pandemic; however, has the rate of mental health acceptance increased? Acknowledgement is an important aspect but what damage are we facing if mental health remains taboo? Charities may exist and research is being done, but what effect is it having on the stigma of mental health? Singer-songwriter Clare Easdown takes a step into this chaotic, desperate and complex world with her new single ‘STIGMA ENIGMA’.
Following her single ‘WILDERNESS’, ‘STIGMA ENIGMA’ is not only an insight into living with mental health in 2024 but a personal narrative of the challenges therein. Penned as a first-person account of the toxic effects of this stigmatised issue, ‘STIGMA ENIGMA’ evolved from Easdown’s experience as a person with bipolar disorder. She explains:
“I was locked away in a psychiatric facility as my mania from living with bipolar disorder flared up. I had absolutely no control and filmed myself in the psychiatric ward daily uploading live streams from within the ward. People watching would laugh at me and since I’ve come out of the facility many of my so-called friends have ghosted me… ’STIGMA ENIGMA’ is about mental health awareness and breaking down the enormous amounts of stigma around mental health today. It’s a song about having more compassion, empathy and awareness around mental health and loving more and judging less…”
Known for her mystical avant-garde melodies, Easdown’s melodies are hypnotic lifting you into an ethereal bubble of darkness while tinkering with kaleidoscopic flairs of sound. Similar to ‘WILDERNESS’, ‘STIGMA ENIGMA’ retains the soul-stirring lift into an alternative pop soundscape; however, profoundness oozes from the simplistic wrap of synths.
As soothing as the tune may be, Easdown clutches at your heart with her fairy-like vocals sending haunting chills through your body. Soul-stirring and breath-taking, the subdued whispers are more powerful than a brash scream when conveying frustration, despair and a desperate desire to be understood. I’ll admit, after listening to ‘STIGMA ENIGMA’ I found myself mesmerised, gasping for breath and tears almost running down my face. While comforting and discomforting, I highly recommend ‘STIGMA ENIGMA’ to everyone!
In addition to the single, Clare Easdown released an official music video for ‘STIGMA ENIGMA’. You can view the video below or on her YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects with rapid image transition that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED
Find out more about Clare Easdown on her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more alternative pop tunes on The Other Side Reviews Alternative Pop playlist:
