Meet MAE SEVEN in this double feature
photo credit Martika Avalon
Today we're taking a good look at MAE SEVEN, the Dutch music duo composed of brothers Stijn "Styn" Derksen (lead vocals) and Wouter "Winter" Derksen (instruments) were, I think, born to be musicians. From an early age, their father fostered in the boys both a deep appreciation and the education necessary to put them in the position they find themselves in today and proving that -at least now and then- Papa does indeed know best because the sleek and vibrant production that this fraternal team brings is one to be reckoned with.
Their sound is an interesting fusion of R&B, Pop, hip-hop, and neo-soul -nothing that's particularly innovative in and of itself, but it only takes a few seconds on any of their songs to notice that these guys manage to put their own spin on things, and I believe you can detect more than a hint of European EDM making its way into that sound palette of theirs, perhaps a trace of musical lineage enriching the electronic elements above and beyond.
In February, the Derksen brothers released the rap-heavy "Why U Don't Love Me", a luxuriant groove propped up by aetheric house-like synths that dimensionalizes a fairly straightforward beat in order to service Styn's impeccable vocals and more-than-impressive flow. The song more than makes its thesis statement clear with the lyrics, but if you're lacking in visual cues, the video's got you covered.
In a move that I found both bold and hilarious, Styn has kidnapped the object of his obsession, a woman he's in love with -even though it's not meant to be-and he bares his feelings to her, airing his frustration over the lack of reciprocity and his inability to let go of a relationship that is clearly over. The poor girl has no choice but to sit there tied to her chair, hearing all he has to say until the video ends in a "To Be Continued" cliffhanger. This sounds much creepier than it actually is, and it's a deliberate creative choice taken to represent a sentimental duality: On one hand, wishing you could just sit someone down and make them listen to you when you feel they've never done so before is a feeling most people can relate to. On the other hand, I think it also represents having an unhealthy attachment to someone and making stupid choices that can and will end up hurting both in the end.
The themes of both the song and the video get explored further on in the seemingly-different mood of MAE SEVEN's latest song "All My Life". The song contrasts quite a bit by having a much more wistful vibe to it that's accentuated by an ever-present piano (or piano-like synth) that is ever-present just in the background of this much more R&B-leaning track.
If "Why U Don't Love Me" was perhaps about being too attached, "All My Life" is either the opposite or the narrative counterpoint to it. This song seeks to highlight the value of ending things amicably through a policy of honesty-first. it doesn't imply it's easier -only wiser- and that's precisely what the thread connecting both releases is: The complexities in relationships and the lasting impact they have on both parties are ultimately part of us as human beings, they help us grow in ways which we cannot expect -and with a little bit of perspective- that growth can be a positive and powerful thing.
The entrancing sound of MAE SEVEN has been making all the right waves in the L.A. scene, receiving airtime on Shade45, Eminem's very own Hip-Hop Music station on SiriusXM. In 2016 they self-released their debut single "Who to Believe", it became a modest but promising hit, gaining over 200k plays on Spotify and other platforms. Later on, they would premiere a live version of their following song on the biggest Dutch Radio Show and later that same year they would gain even more notoriety for self-producing a music video for their single "stay" that would be premiered on XITE, Netherland's most popular TV Channel.
As the duo gather momentum and recognition, I think it's important to stake a claim in early and keep your ears perked up for their next release, because they seem to be on the verge of exploding onto the mainstream any day now, in no small part thanks to their incredibly refined songwriting and mastery over the genres they embody.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based.
I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work . Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music.