What do you get when you mix the songwriting and vocals of a Carter Marie and the honesty about mental health struggles of, say, a Kid Cudi? I wasn’t sure what that combination would sound like until today, when I looked through my submissions. After hearing this song, I think the combination would be something like Nadia Venice’s “Liquor Store.”

A candid look into the mind of someone in the midst of a depressive episode, “Liquor Store” shows our heroine looking for a way to numb her pain. She hopes to find her answer at the bottom of a bottle. As someone who’s struggled with depression and alcohol abuse previously, I felt this one more than I would’ve if I were a complete teetotaler and abstained from alcohol since birth. It’s a hauntingly beautiful song that is blunt in its approach while still being a “bop,” if you will. As it stands, I want to hear more from her but also want to check on her to make sure she’s doing better. The power of music is that the truth comes out in between the lyrics.

Check it out below and remember to support dope music in all its forms.