Sometimes the Quiet is Violent

“I CAN’T SEEM TO FIND SOMEONE’S SHOULDER, WHO WILL I RELY ON WHEN IT’S OVER?” ALONE PART 3 BY XXXTENTACION.

Alternative Hip Hop. Emo Pop. Indie Grunge. SoundCloud Rap. These genres of music have been the culmination and explosion of the new wave of artists that have overtaken the youth music scene in the last five years. There has always been a collective of artists who have challenged the boundaries of music - iconic rulebreakers include: The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Nirvana, AC/DC and Oasis - but now the alternative band has been remoulded into artists who strive to find an understanding and acceptance of changing mental health within society. They form lyrics that let the individual explore their understanding of themselves through their own interpretation of the words. Each artist is an individual facing their own demons, but those same demons are also being faced and conquered by millions of other people around the world, thus explaining their extremely large fan base.

“When we all fall asleep, where do we go?” BURY A FRIEND BY BILLIE EILISH.

Their lyrics are passionate, raw and emotional, yet ring true as an exploration of oneself to thousands of people. These shared emotions, between musician and listener, are what bring such power to each song. Fans gain help from their own inner turmoil with the realisation that even those heralded in the media and society face the same struggles as they do. One could even argue that these artists are changing the face of mental health branding. Billie Eilish, Twenty Øne Piløts, XXXTentacion, Post Malone and Grimes have all gained a following for their music, yet their lyrics present an insight into their darkest battles with mental health, that resonate with many teenagers, and touch on delicate issues such as depression and anxiety. It is not about making a “hit” anymore, to these artists they are baring themselves open to the world in order to release even a fraction of the pain they have felt. Each artist harnesses the power of truth and life in these moments. As perceptions surrounding mental health are changing, teenagers and young adults are being swept up in these deep, emotional and raw songs of the new wave of artists.

“Sometimes the quiet is violent” CAR RADIO BY TWENTY ØNE PILØTS.

Fans of this new generation of artists are faced with love and support by all. An example for this is the Twenty Øne Piløts fanclub, “The Skeleton Clique”. Members regularly discuss their battles with anxiety and depression openly on fan forums, but with the full love and support of their fellow fans and even their motto: “Stay strong, Live on, Stay alive.” Not only are there hundreds of comments on these forums, with song lyrics, encouraging words and pictures, but strangers bearing their hearts wide open in online posts. The raw emotions portrayed in a forum post lead to the feel of a community and a family, resonating with complete

strangers across the globe. The comments never argue that the person has given out ‘too much information’, or that the writer should take their thoughts elsewhere, it is responded to with encouraging assistance. One could argue that this has been happening with fan bases for decades, however with the rise of social media I think that the rise in love and support in strangers has become greater with these new artists.

“A paranoid man makes paranoid plans, I’ll do what I can but it’s out of my hands, Struggling just to find my peace.” PARANOID BY POST MALONE

Whilst many feel that, for the most part, it is wonderful to be able to have a community where people can be encouraged and supported by their fellow fans and musical idols, many argue that this is leading to a “depressed youth” who thrive off the darkest points of their emotions. Some even feel that the music industry is ‘Glamorising’ suicide and mental health issues, which could lead to copycat behaviour, due to an artist’s strong influence over their fans.

The influence of an artist’s actions is gigantic, not only when it comes to the type of music being produced, but also the actions and behaviours referenced within the lyrics. Artists must tread a careful line between addressing mental health concerns and promoting dangerous behaviours. An example of this is in Post Malone’s “Paranoid” where the rapper speaks about sleeping with “a .44 every night,” referencing the use of guns and firearms as a method to ease his anxiety of never knowing when “someone might come and try to take [his] life”. Malone’s glamorised use of illegal substance abuse and firearms complicates his coverage of anxiety and paranoia. Although the use of substance abuse and anxiety has gone handin-hand when it comes to music for decades (a prime example being Sister Morphine - The Rolling Stones), it is becoming more prominent in current lyrics. The issue of where artists draw the line becomes ever more complex. However, I believe that it is important that artists continue to address the growing issues surrounding mental health. We can see that, for young men especially, mental health is a growing issue, and again it is within the music industry that we see this clearly evidenced.

“They say every life precious but nobody care about mine,” 1-800-273-8255 BY LOGIC

In 1994, at 27, Kurt Cobain (lead singer of Nirvana). In 2017 at the age of 41, Chester Bennington (lead singer of Linkin Park). In 2017, Tim Bergling (Avicii) aged 28. In 2018 Malcolm ‘Mac’ Miller, at the age of 26. In 2019, aged 49, Keith Flint (lead singer of The Prodigy). Each of these men was an incredible artists: talented, approachable, accomplished. But each artist faced their own battles and hellhounds, and sadly all of these musicians took their own lives. Yet it is not only in the music industry that we see the tragic consequences of mental health problems in men, it is also where we start to see glimmers of a solution. Professor Green (Stephen Manderson), has opened the stigma of Men’s mental health when rapping, normalising the idea that men can be emotional and speak about their feelings. In his documentary for the BBC “Suicide and Me”, Manderson states: “Too many men are facing depression and anxiety alone, I don’t think that we are as emotionally developed as we should be, we have stress through everything and we haven’t learnt to cope with it.”

“I’m tired of being what you want me to be, Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface.” NUMB BY LINKIN PARK

As mental health starts to become a common topic of conversation rather than a stigmatised issue, we will see the music industry start to move around it as well. It is important for the artist to be open about their challenges and as listeners to hear their story and understand that they are not alone.

“To make me feel my life is heading somewhere, All I want is the comfort and care,” Mother Love by Queen

This article is in memory of all those who have battled mental health, whether they were won or not, we bestow our support and love onto you and admire your bravery and strength in such difficult times.

I Hunter, Assistant Editor