Single Review: Make it Go Away

I’ve known Ryan Kershaw for a long time and have always been a fan of all the music he writes with all the various bands and solo projects he has released music with. His new single Make It Go Away is no exception. It is heavier and rockier than many of his songs, which I really love. The distorted guitars, fast drum beats and powerfully, raw vocals put emphasis the words and meaning portrayed in this song. The first time I listened too this song I felt like I was in the exact same frame of mind that Ryan was in when he wrote it and after listening to it a few more times over the last week my initial feelings haven’t changed much (although my mental frame of mind has, thankfully).

It is a song written for anyone who has ever gone through hard times in their life. It is a sonic rendering of how mental pain feels like, without actually directly mentioning pain. I know that everyone hears and feels music differently but to me this song is about wanting to escape mental illness and the pain and feelings associated with it; the loneliness, anxiety, isolation and feeling that no one understands. In some ways it is like the song is a call for help, pleading with anyone to understand and listen and make the pain go away. But knowing Ryan, it is a song for all the people stuck in their heads in that place, it is a song to everyone feeling that pain, to let you know that you aren’t alone in those feelings.

Like all of Ryan’s songs this showcases both his songwriting talent and musical abilities. This song has something for everyone, rock n roll, heavy rock mixed with flamenco style guitars. I hope this single means there’s an album or EP on the way and I can’t wait to get my hands on it, if it does.