On Sept. 20, singer Olivia O’Brien released her new song, “lower.” Notable for her viral collaboration with Gnash on the single “i hate u, i love u,” O’Brien is newly independent with her own record label distributed under Warner Music Group’s ADA: Girlhood Records. Common topics throughout her discography include heartbreak, relationships and mental health.
Written by O’Brien and Day Wave, “lower” is one of her most vulnerable releases yet. It focuses on her personal battle with depression with mention of the desire to end her own life, conflicting with her previous upbeat, romantic release “out of your league (but i want you so bad).” As a sentiment to her mental state during her birthday last November, O’Brien gives listeners a sense of relatability and honesty.
Upon pressing play, the song immediately describes her internal battles, starting with the hook. O’Brien sings, “And they say / they say that is only up from here / but I’ve hit / a new rock bottom every single year.” Setting the tone for the remainder of the piece, the first verse cohesively emphasizes and elaborates upon her thoughts.
She expresses, “I’ve been trying to find a reason / not to stop myself from leaving / but life feels like one big inconvenience / then you die anyway.” She successfully reels the audience in, intriguing them, while almost providing an outlet to those who may relate.
An acoustic guitar melody accompanies the song as it progresses. In the chorus, the musician expands the hook, adding the fact that others do not know she could “always go lower.” O’Brien’s concerning confessions continue into the second verse, with her urge to rip the skin off her own body and her possibly confiding with her therapist who has been asking to “hang out” with the artist.
The outro of this track may be the most pivotal, with instruments replaced by O’Brien’s voice overlaid several times, admitting the fact that she has taken pills and written letters in an attempt to end her own life, but “[she] keep[s] waking up,” before concluding the song with a slower repeat of the chorus. It is vital and shows courage when an artist releases such a personal piece of work into the world. Sharing your mental battles to millions who could perceive it with free speech and social media deserves more recognition and admiration.
With a history of vulnerability throughout her music, O’Brien has released another track for many to relate to. Her honest, blunt language and writing increases curiosity or encourages others into understanding they are not truly alone no matter what they may be going through.
Someone out there, regardless of their success or status, feels the same way you do. This gives a sense of comfortability to O’Brien’s fans and casual listeners who may be first discovering her music. With the increasing representation for and speaking out about personal battles, music has the ability to help others. O’Brien continues to prove how one could use their energy and inspiration during difficult times to create, rather than linger or sink “lower” within melancholia.
5/5 stars
rross1@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @oliviaobrien, Instagram
