This past Tuesday, October 10th, was World Mental Health Day. The global observation is dedicated to having discussions surrounding mental health awareness, education, and most importantly, advocacy. Considering the growing social stigma pertaining to mental health, advocacy is not only necessary to legitimize it as a human right but to demonstrate to those contending with their own mental health that they’re worthy of agency. Or as The Collection puts it in their latest single, "Medication", it illustrates that we “deserve to be well” and feel at home within ourselves.
“Medication” is lyrical advocacy that also inspires intrapersonal empowerment. The indie-pop ode opens with an intricate piano melody from Sarah McCoy that encapsulates both seriousness and grace; two sentiments that are needed when processing our own mental health journey. The first sentiment is to grasp the gravity of the excursion itself, and the second sentiment being what we owe ourselves amid this excursion. This ushers in the first verse where lead singer David Wimbish recounts the mixed emotions they had at the thought of “need[ing] medicine” within their own journey. With the lack of transparency and an overabundance of misinformation about medication, having some misgivings is understandable. When misgivings are mismanaged, however, they can prevent us from seeking out the help we need. But Wimbish makes it clear in the pre-chorus that “sitting / aimless and drifting” in this confliction is becoming tiresome. Then the melody suddenly disappears. Swift, airy guitar chords replace it to symbolize Wimbish freeing themselves from all personal and societal reservations about medication. This leads into a liberating chorus that serves as a rational reminder: we “deserve to be well”. And sometimes being well requires a little assistance. Graham Dickey's high-spirited horn section highlights the improved outlook on medication as it closes out the chorus and brings the song to the second verse. This verse makes it a point to reassure listeners that it’s okay to still have days that make us feel like “the storm has never passed”. What should be of greater significance is the fact that we’re still “climbin’ the gates of [our] mind” to be healthy; no longer letting our own reservations halt our journey. Needing medication to be well does not in any way, shape, or form mean that we’re broken. And “Medication” goes above and beyond to prove this; allowing listeners to feel less alone on their respective mental health journeys. Thank you, The Collection, for advocating – it helps more than you know.
The Collection is an alt indie-pop band from Saxapahaw, North Carolina, with a talent for crafting and sharing stories that foster an overwhelming sense of community set to dazzling orchestrations. Huge congratulations are in order for the success of the Soil & Sky Festival. The arts-driven festival was hosted and headlined by the band in late September at the Benzai Bloomstead just outside of Saxapahaw. The festival’s debut shaped up to be an inclusive space for listeners to reconnect with themselves and the planet we share together. I know myself and others cannot wait to hear details for next year’s Soil & Sky Fest. But in the meantime, we’ll just have to keep ourselves busy by streaming “Medication” as The Collection prepares to release more singles from their upcoming album. The anticipated album centers on the process of the mental health journey: taking listeners through various experiences that highlight the fluctuating fluidity of said journey. The best way to stay updated on those forthcoming releases is by showing The Collection some virtual love in the form of likes, follows, and of course, more streaming.
Written by Giavanna Gradaille
FOLLOW THE COLLECTION:
Comentarios