Today, Mae Stephens follows up from her whirlwind breakthrough with the colourful, funk-laced alt-pop bop ‘If We Ever Broke Up’ by going back to her roots on her new EP ‘Securely Insecure’ – listen HERE.
Introducing another side to Mae’s musical prowess, the EP departs from the bright, infectious sound that introduced her as one of pop’s most promising new names, returning to the songwriter’s palette that she drew from before her big break. It’s a record full of poignantly candid lyricism and heartstring-pulling melodies, showcasing Mae’s incredible vocal skills, and taking influence from artists like Sigrid, Florence and The Machine and US singer-songwriter, Cody Fry as it shares reflections on self-discovery and overcoming adversity.
“I think it’s time to share a piece of the real Mae with you…” – Mae Stephens
Lead single ‘Small Town Syndrome’ details feeling like you’re stuck in a goldfish bowl of a community where everyone knows the ins and outs of your life. “This small town syndrome’s getting me down,” she sings. “I can hear them talking, talking so loud / And I’m still trying to find a way out of here.” It pulls from the 21-year-old’s experiences but is relatable to anyone who has found themselves at the centre of gossip or attention.
“It’s about being in a small town and everyone knowing everyone’s business,” Mae explains. “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.”
Across the EP, Mae tackles themes of identity, trauma, and self-discovery, sharing her thoughts and experiences in these songs as a means for her to move on to a new chapter in her life. Although the record is tied to the cruel bullying she experienced at school, it contains the universally relatable feelings that come with confronting the scars of your past and searching for identity and authenticity.
New track ‘You Don’t Remember Me’ sparked from a conversation about Mae recognising her childhood bullies on the street, and those feelings of dread that come with it. “I realised that it’s such a universal thing, feeling that fear of being put back into that mindset from such a distressing time,” Mae says. “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.”
As well as three original new songs, ‘Securely Insecure’ also includes a cover of Kings Of Leon’s ‘Use Somebody’.
‘Securely Insecure’ follows a big start to the year for Mae, which saw her named as one of VEVO’s ‘Artists To Watch’ for 2024. The young star has accumulated over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has racked up impressive accolades along the way, with ‘If We Ever Broke Up’ achieving Gold status in both the UK and US.
It was only 18 months ago that Mae Stephens was finding solace and sanctuary in her music-making between working shifts at her local Asda. A songwriter since the age of twelve, she had used music to guide her through the hardships of teenage life and her own mental health journey, pouring her heart out in emotional, impactful songs penned on her nan’s old piano.
The target of cruel bullying, Mae’s school years were far from easy, with her at first picked on for being the “loud, quirky kid” – but with the icon Freddie Mercury as one of her biggest musical influences, Mae is on a journey of embracing what makes her unique and learning not to care about other people’s opinions. In Mae Stephens, Gen Z has found a new champion; she’s ready to use her voice to help others and provide the same kind of sanctuary in her music that it gave her while making it.
