By Charlie Maybee
This Alchemical Records article is read by the author to provide a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum.
Canadian rock band, MAYBE MAY, is back with their new single “Better,” which immediately plays to our empathetic responses with retrospective lyrics about missing signs of suicidal thoughts in a friend: “Was there more than met the eye / made you believe that you would die?” They manage to pull off a stunning work of melodically driven rock that pleads for us to be “better together” during moments of personal crisis.
In the accompanying music video (released September 10, 2021), they immediately dedicate the song “In loving memory of Rachelle Bradley.” With links and phone numbers to Canada Suicide Prevention Service, there is no doubt that this song comes from the depths of personal experience for one of, if not all members, of the band.
As a tribute to their late friend, it’s a beautiful song that stirs up feelings of encouragement despite the weight of their lyrical content. Modulating between storytelling verses and call-to-action choruses, the band is clearly on a mission to prevent these kinds of tragedies in the future.
“Better” can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and YouTube. The accompanying music video is also available on YouTube.
If you are based in Canada and having suicidal thoughts, please contact Canada Suicide Prevention Service by calling 1-833-456-4566 or texting “45645.” For more resources, visit the following website: www.crisisservicescanada.ca.
For our American readership, if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. For more resources, visit the following website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
