The pain caused by someone you loved and trusted hurting you is impossibly difficult to recover from. In her song "You Lied," Rachel Cousins maintains a mature and reflective perspective after a breakup with a best friend, despite the betrayal she feels. She calls them out on their actions, all the while communicating her emotions in a way that reflects how she has grown from the relationship. The song is dark yet energetic, straddling the line between a breakup song and an upbeat party anthem that listeners can dance to. When we've been hurt by someone, we often just want them to know the pain they've caused by their actions in order to move on. This is what "You Lied" accomplishes, while maintaining its pop roots.
Starting on a dark and edgy tone, with warping synths and a pulsing beat accompanying Cousins' vocals, the track begins with the lyrics, "One thing I've learned is to never take your word." Immediately, we are immersed in Cousins' anger and disappointment from her trust being betrayed. The tone of the song conveys lingering resentment, with subtle jabs like, "When the party's over and all your friends are sober... does it ever cross your mind how you left me lonely?" alluding to the subject of the song not seeming to care about the devastation and hurt that they caused, but rather partying with their friends care-freely. The track then picks up the pace with added production, leading to a catchy chorus with an electro-pop feel. Cousins states that she's "not pleading or needy," which are likely insults her ex friend used against her, but rather, she just wants "to be understood" and heard. She wants them to know that they hurt her. Cousins directly calls them out with lines like, "You're not healing or grieving the people that you let go," and "You're not growing, or showing me anything I don't know," highlighting her ex friend's emotional immaturity and toxic behaviors in the relationship. The song serves as the only way for Cousins to be heard, as her former friend shows no interest in mending the wounds they caused or even apologizing, with a sound that could lend itself to playing clubs where they like to party, their past mistakes haunting them.
Rachel Cousins is gaining recognition as one of the most promising pop artists from Atlantic Canada. Her musical journey began with the release of her debut 5-song EP, "This Fire," in 2017, where she showcased her ability to blend pop melodies with elements of folk, rock, and electronic music. In 2020, she contributed to the collaborative album "Songs from Home," a project supported by Music NL's "Press On" program, alongside artists like Alan Doyle, Fortunate Ones, The Ennis Sisters, and The Once. Rachel Cousins' exceptional talent as both a vocalist and a songwriter has garnered significant acclaim in her home province, with six Music NL nominations and back-to-back Pop Artist of the Year titles in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, she received an East Coast Music Award nomination in 2020 for her self-titled album.
Written By Rachael Bach
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