Willow Stephens - “The Cure”

Photo by Holy Smoke Photography

It doesn’t get any more raw and heartfelt than an acoustically-driven tune about mental health, so when we heard LA-based Willow Stephens’ latest single, “The Cure,” we knew that we had to feature it on the blog.

In true singer-songwriter fashion, Stephens has gone the path of tracking the acoustic guitar and vocals simultaneously, then building the rest of the arrangement around them. This provides a level of intimacy and vulnerability that simply cannot be replicated in multiple takes and, as “The Cure” begins, it is as though Stephens is in the same room, telling us her story. There is an overwhelming sense of authenticity on display here and, as the lyrics emotionally enter your ears, you cannot help but believe every word.

For a track that begins as a solo performance, the additional elements that line the second half of the production arrive in waves. Distant and dreamy backing vocals appear, along with the deliberate chords from a piano. This elevation evokes a natural and fantastic crescendo that keeps the listener engaged, resembling the darkness and turmoil that so often comes in swells, attempting to swallow us whole. At the same time, the percussion that finds its place near the end brings a sense of triumph, as though a beam of light at the end of a long, precarious tunnel.

About the track’s inspiration, Stephens adds: “I kept myself busy for years to avoid what I was really feeling but if you don’t figure out what’s causing your symptoms, you can’t get better. It’s scary to slow down and start examining your life and doing the deep emotional work. If you start pulling the strings, the delicate balancing act you’ve created for yourself might come unraveled completely. The vertigo forced me to slow down and address many underlying issues I’ve carried around with me since I was a kid.”

-HD