The Aces Talk Mental Health In “Don’t Freak”
Jenny Sorto
Indie band, The Aces return with their new song “Don’t Freak”. The group made up of McKenna Petty, Katie Henderson, Cristal and Alisa Ramirez, bring their relatable lyrics and danceable melodies to their newest track. This comes as the first single following the band’s 2020 album Under My Influence. The song is a seemingly fun dance-pop track with a deeper message about mental health just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Photo By Jason Lee
The groovy guitars and energetic essence of “Don’t Freak” are elements that make The Aces’ songs undeniably catchy. The upbeat sound is juxtaposed with lyrics that touch upon anxiety and the stigma around mental health. Lead singer Cristal Ramirez has struggled with the effects of severe anxiety and uses her personal experiences to tell a story. Ramirez explains, “When you struggle with your mental health, you start to realize very quickly just how little space is held for you in society. You quickly feel like a burden to those around you…” The lyrics “Can't sleep 'cause all my brain does is overthink, scared I'm gonna end up lonely, just gotta do what they told me” capture the emotions of feeling alienated by your thoughts.
When you blast a song at full volume and the lyrics relate to issues you’re going through there is a sort of catharsis that happens. “Don’t Freak” serves as a sort of release for those who feel like they are “too much” because of their anxiety. Listeners can appreciate the vulnerability of lyrics that reflect the complexities of dealing with mental illness. We are excited to continue to witness the rising success of The Aces and their uninhibited approach to making music.
