A few short years ago, Mae Stephens found solace and sanctuary in honing her nuanced and distinctive sound during her limited free time, while tirelessly working shifts at her local Asda. Now, just 18 months later, Mae is fearlessly continuing her dynamic musical journey, pouring her raw emotions into impactful tracks that explore the challenging hardships of teenage life and her deeply personal mental health journey. Her latest release, “Securely Insecure”, is an infectious alt-pop record filled with candid lyricism and heart-wrenching melodies, including an inspired cover of the iconic Kings of Leon classic, “Use Somebody”.

The album opens with “Stranger”, showcasing Mae’s expansive and soulful vocal range, imbued with profound emotion and perfectly suited for her strikingly honest lyrics. Tracks like “Small Town Syndrome” and “You Don’t Remember Me” inspire introspection, drawing listeners in with lush, sentimental piano keys that serve as the evocative backdrop for Mae’s intimate and poignant storytelling.

Speaking on the creative themes and narratives of the project, Stephens shares “It’s about being in a small town and everyone knowing everyone’s business. The lyrics tell you how I was hiding behind walls, putting on a brave face while feeling the weight of gossip and judgment. The chorus reflects the struggle to find a way out of this, resonating with anyone who’s ever felt stuck and misunderstood in a close-knit community. The song’s main theme is really of those dreaming of escape and new beginnings.”

Mae goes on to introspectively dive into the feelings of dread that come when encountering past bullies, a theme taken from track “You Don’t Remember Me”. Mae explains “I realised that it’s such a universal thing, feeling that fear of being put back into that mindset from such a distressing time. I hope those of you who can identify with that feeling can find solace in knowing that someone out here understands. You are not alone.”

Listen to the track…