We have been following the rise of conscious and political artists Clare Easdown for the last couple of years. The talented singer, writer, producer and multi-disciplinary artist has been consistently living her dharma and releasing thought-provoking songs and visuals that are intentional, progressive in value, and very aligned with our own philosophies. Naturally, when we heard that she had just released Lipstick On My Restraints, we were curious to say the least.
Establishing the mood with an ethereal soundscape with guitar arpeggios and echoing vocals, Clare Easdown opens Lipstick On My Restraints with metaphorical and situational prose. The energy is experimental and the themes focus around mental health, a recurring concept in Clare Easdown‘s sonic universe.
The vibe of the track immediately draws comparisons to Grimes and Björk, also with the emotional intelligence of ANOHNI. The opus boasts a raw frequency, bleeds=ing truth. It is both haunting and defiant, packaged up as notion of survival through sound.
Clare tells us, “Lipstick On My Restraints is about reclaiming power inside powerlessness. It’s about being institutionalised, mentally unwell and intense — and instead of apologising for it, you aestheticise it and weaponise it and most importantly survive it. Not because it’s cute, but because it’s the only way they haven’t destroyed us. For all the unfortunate people who have paved this mental health war before me, who have endured much worse scenarios than I ever have, this is for you.”
The lyrics are heavy and honest. Clare speaks for the silenced – for those of us who society would rather forget. It’s a confronting piece and important art. We learn that Lipstick On My Restraints was recorded in Clare’s lounge in Menai, Sydney Australia. In that sense, the track feels intimate, as if we are sat beside her as she shares her truth. Her influences are there, in the form of the ache of Kurt Cobain and the edge of Billie Eilish, but as always, it is clear that Clare Easdown is creating a universe unto her own and through her own, valid and unique lived experience.
She confesses, “Every time I release a track about my mental health or the mental health system I feel extremely vulnerable. However, I feel that art is all about being raw, vulnerable and speaking the core of your absolute truth. it is with this notion that I’ve released this track going all in, hoping it helps even just one person out there.”
Naturally, we are in awe of what Clare Easdown is creating, and have added Lipstick On My Restraints to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY playlist, whilst we continue to stream the rising star’s growing discography, and anticipate future releases from the consciously enlightened pioneer.