Recommended Tracks: “phantom limb”, “colorblind”
Artists You May Like: Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, St. Vincent
The more we experience in life, the more we unlock new parts of ourselves. Whether or not we enjoy these experiences is another story, but at least they help us feel a little more whole in the end. Last year, singer-songwriter Mae Krell shared intimate snapshots of her life through various singles, which resonated with fans who could understand what she was going through. These singles led Mae to the creation of the imposter syndrome EP, which takes a look at what she has learned about herself and all that she still has to learn.
On imposter syndrome, Mae touches on important relationships and the way they have influenced her outlook on love and life. On the tender “colorblind,” Mae describes the heartache she felt the moment she thought her first true relationship was over. Over soft guitar and drums, Mae paints vivid descriptions of holding this person’s hand and watching as the sky and everything around her starts to lose color, representing the loss she felt inside. There is also the equally emotional “rest stop,” when Mae recounts a friendship that has run its course. While broken down at a rest stop, Mae saw the situation as a metaphor for the ways she felt broken down by this friendship, realizing that cutting ties would be for the better.
In addition to these relationships with other people, Mae gives us songs that tap into the relationship she has with herself. With the melancholy “phantom limb,” Mae explains her journey through addiction and recovery and why it is not easy to change her habits. Over gloomy piano, she sings, “I’ve always been this way / No matter how many times my mind will always stray.” On the previously unreleased “imposter syndrome,” Mae sings about instances when she doubts herself, despite knowing that she has nothing to fear. Backed by driving drums, guitar, and sprinkles of piano, Mae shares, “I don’t know how to tell you, this is how I’ve always been / Feels like there’s someone else inside my skin,” wondering if she is in control of the situation or just playing the part.
When Mae spoke about the experience of making the EP, she revealed that the title came to her when working on “phantom limb” – not on the title track itself. It was in that moment that she questioned her skills as a musician, thinking that she was not as talented as the other people in the room with her. Overall, the “imposter syndrome” that Mae felt at the time can be found on all of the stories she shares on the EP, each one contributing to the way Mae sees herself today. As Mae continues to develop and grow as an artist, we are sure to get more of these telling tracks, further expanding her authentic and unique voice as a singer-songwriter.
You can listen to imposter syndrome on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Keep up with Mae Krell: Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Website
