Review: "At What Cost" - Claire Larose

Claire Larose has given us a beautifully accurate depiction of how it feels to wrestle ourselves. "At What Cost" allows us to feel seen, we know we aren't alone. The wrestling we face within ourselves is often related to feeling like we're disappointing ourselves and those around us because we aren't living up to our full potential. Society tells us we have to meet certain requirements and expectations in order to be successful, but like the song says, "But at what cost?" One of my favorite lines from the song further paints this image when it says, "I've been working five jobs / No sleep / People think I'm crazy lately / They say I'm in too deep / But I wouldn't change a thing / I've been driving everywhere / to get where I want to be." We can see the struggle of the artist, who's being told that it's not worth it. While also seeing the dedication and determination of the artist and that's what makes it so beautiful.

The tone of the song is rather introspective and bittersweet. There's an urgency behind all of it, she's working through all the emotional sacrifice that she's had to make in order to be where she is now. When you take a deeper look at the song you find that the mood is rather melancholic with a small hint of wistfulness. While the overall point of the song is sad, the determination and courage of the artist makes it easy to dream. The instrumentation throughout the song adds a level of depth, especially when the lyrics are factored in. We hear a mix of subtle piano, drums, and occasional swells of the base guitar. All of these elements blend together, taking the lyrics from simple, basic wording to deep emotional connection for all listeners.

Claire Larose is a singer-songwriter from London, Ontario, Canada. She moved to Nashville permanently in 2022. She wrote "At What Cost" while working five jobs, wondering if she'd ever get to release music. Her music style blends indie pop and folk, tying the two genres together with her emotional, yet heartfelt lyrics. Her music is perfect for those who like artists such as Lizzy McAlpine, Noah Kahan, and Lennon Stella. If you're looking for sneak peaks of her songs she promotes them on social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. Show Claire Larose some love and give "At What Cost," a listen.

Written By Destiny Rundquist

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