The Revolutionary Sound of Heather Mae and Her Double Album Journey
Photography by Laura Schneider
Allow me to introduce you to Heather Mae, a trailblazing singer-songwriter and artist-activist who’s lighting a fire under every seat with her double album releases "What They Hid From Me" and "Kiss & Tell." But what’s the essence of this double drop?
Heather Mae is a genre-bending powerhouse, effortlessly merging the catchy vibes of indie pop with the raw intensity of alternative rock and the down-to-earth narratives of folk. Her songs are challenging and rich, following the maxim of comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable, with anthems of mental health, queer liberation, survivor empowerment, and the fight for justice.
Double albums are far and few between, they take immense labor and creativity, and these two are no exception. A total of 21 tracks, crafted entirely by women and nonbinary creators in Nashville, this double release is a huge serving, almost a potpourri of sounds that keeps surprising you song by song and record by record. From calls for racial justice to anthems of queer celebration and beyond, these albums bravely tackle important issues head-on with a clear intent and a joyful attitude.
"What They Hid From Me," is a raw and unrestrained exploration of her innermost thoughts. This album, crafted under the guidance of producer ZDAN, showcases an all-female ensemble, featuring the talents of Grammy winner Allison Russell and the dynamic duo known as SistaStrings. This one in particular is more alt-rock and focuses on a wide array of touchy social topics in a thoughtful yet confrontational manner to never undercut their importance.
Tracks such as "What I Know Now" deliver a powerful punch, unraveling the intricacies of consent and the weight of self-blame. Meanwhile, "All’s Not Lost" transforms the daily struggle with depression into an anthem. Then there’s the baroque Americana racial justice anthem "Black Lives Do," a heartfelt appeal told from the perspective of someone navigating a mixed-race relationship. With its fusion of Americana and unconventional alt-rock, this album encapsulates both personal battles and a collective call to action.
Switching gears, "Kiss & Tell" bursts with exuberance. Co-produced alongside Nashville’s pop visionary Lollies, this one’s full of odes to queerness and love, departing entirely from the sounds of the previous album and immersing itself and us into the deep plasticity of pop, with unique new sounds and perspective with tracks like “Ash & Smoke,” “Ode To Joy” or “Good Good Love.”
"What They Hid From Me" and "Kiss & Tell" are music projects that amplify the voices of the marginalized and underestimated among us. Through her contributions, Heather Mae embarks on a long journey within the music industry, which has historically grappled with the contradiction of uplifting its talents while often exploiting its misfits and marginalized for profit.
Ultimately, it falls to artists like Heather Mae and her collaborators to not only create music but also reshape the narrative. Queer artists, racial minorities, and revolutionaries have always been part of the music landscape, but a pivotal shift is underway. They are no longer mere subjects of exploitation by a faceless, titanic industry; instead, they are rising to power, taking control over production and the narratives that define them. This is what makes Heather Mae's ambitious double album release so significant, and we wholeheartedly support her vision.
As her wonderful career unfolds, Heather Mae is ready to take these songs out on a short but sweet tour, with performances in several cities across the southeastern and northeastern United States. The schedule features a show in Nashville, followed by a performance in Atlanta. She will then play in Durham, before concluding in Philadelphia. Get your tickets!