Conveying her stories through a colorful pop lens, Mae Stephens is known for creating music that immediately draws listeners in and keeps them engaged. Her hits like “ADHD,” “Mr Right,” and “If We Ever Broke Up” have accumulated millions of streams, with “If We Ever Broke Up” even reaching Gold status in the U.K. and U.S. In July, however, Mae decided to revisit the more stripped-back sound she started out with by releasing “Small Town Syndrome.” The single was an introduction to a larger project, Securely Insecure, which features more songs that type into this style. Ultimately, Securely Insecure finds Mae reconciling with her past as she moves towards a new chapter in her life.
The EP includes the previously mentioned “Small Town Syndrome,” which speaks to those who have ever felt lost in their community. Throughout the tortured piano ballad, Mae aspires to break away from her small town, to escape “their eyes, like spotlights, staring me out” and leave all the pointless gossip and judgment that plagues the town behind. Elsewhere, we hear about Mae’s struggle to connect with herself on “Stranger,” which taps into a larger conversation about mental health. The lines unfold slowly over the indulgent strings that adorn the track, conveying the heaviness she experiences from her thoughts and feelings. It makes sense that Mae would also include a cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” as it relates to the themes of escapism, connection, and mental health that have already been addressed. Mae turns this alt-rock anthem into a tender indie pop ballad, belting out the words as if she wrote them herself.
A highlight on the EP is “You Don’t Remember Me,” an emotionally stirring piece that recognizes the long-term effects of young trauma. Throughout the single, Mae gets into what it was like to be mercilessly bullied by someone during her formative years, evident in lines like “I don’t know what I did to you / I just remember what you did / 10 years later, I’m still scared of you” and “I don’t understand your problems / Or why you choose to make them mine / I just wanted to enjoy my life / And you just wanted me to die.” We hear the pain in her voice but also a strength as she confronts this person and tells this person exactly how their senseless actions made a lasting impression.
About Securely Insecure, Mae explains,
“‘Securely Insecure’ delves into profound themes of identity, trauma, and self-discovery. It encapsulates the desire to break free from the confines of judgmental communities, bravely confronts the scars of past trauma, and navigates the complexities of imposter syndrome. These tracks offer a powerful narrative of human vulnerability and the universal search for authenticity amidst life’s challenges.”
You can listen to Securely Insecure on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Keep up with Mae Stephens: Instagram // Facebook // X // YouTube // TikTok // Website
