I’ll be honest. While I like my pop a bit on the dark and alternative side, I’ve never been the biggest sadboi/sadgurl alt pop fan. I think it’s because it sometimes reminds me of a poppier version of grunge. That’s not a bad thing, of course; I’m an 80s/90s baby, so grunge is my jam. That said, it does make me just wanna hear some Nirvana or Pearl Jam or something over the newer, shinier thing. However, there are some emopop/acoustic grunge(?) songs that grab my attention and don’t let it go.

Canadian singer/songwriter Gen’s “Can You Hear Me” is one of those songs. Bear with me because this one’s a doozy. I mean that in an emotional way, not a bad way. The song really spoke to me.

On “Can You Hear Me,” Gen is lonely and contemplating erasing herself from this plane of existence. She wonders if things would be better for her and others if she disappeared. However, “CYHM” plays partly like a sui*dal vent, but mostly like a cry for help. It’s mostly a cry for someone to reach out to break her free from this isolation. However, as I’ve learned over the years, only you can begin pulling yourself out of that abyss. Lyrics later in the song somewhat reflect this fate.

Her chilling vocals cut through the minimalistic production to the point you feel like she’s speaking to you directly. That touched my soul very much. The fact that the song mainly features an acoustic guitar and Gen’s voice hammers home the point that she feels as if she’s lost in the world. Her vocals are so rich, but also so distant. The effects on them add to that feeling of isolation, that feeling that you’re (emotionally) up S***’s Creek. With Gen’s vocals, they felt as if she’s the only person in the world who understands how she feels–the only one who can truly help her breakthrough. “Oh my goodness, this is kind of me in high school” was the first thought that popped into my head. So, I had to write about it.

In high school, I didn’t fit in. At all. I embraced it, because outside of a few people and my mom and family, I was used to being alone. I wanted people to reach out, but I also was afraid to let my true self be known. That’s because I struggled with undiagnosed bipolar flaring up like hell in a handbasket; I was erratic and had some illusions of grandeur. My “coup de grâce” was when I confessed feelings for a girl I talked to once Sophomore year and a few times that summer. She didn’t really mess with me, but she was sort of cute and was kind of nice. Unfortunately, it was, looking back to then and even during limited interactions later in life, that fake nice you do when you don’t want to hurt feelings. But, I was so starved for interaction that I thought everything was legitimate. I guess you could say that, back then, I was a tad bit delusional.

On that note, I also have a confession for you: I know I said I was madly in love with said girl. Hell, I thought I was for years myself. Therapy (for all of my mental health concerns) helped me realize something, though. Here’s the honest–and somewhat awful–truth. The girl (now woman) was completely right. From the moment I saw her until I finally got to know her real personality, I just wanted to smash and thought hitting her up on the “we ain’t homies, but we could be” schtick would get me closer. I wanted to smash, even though she’s never ever been my type. I wanted to smash just to say I did.

It’s a terrible thing, so don’t be like high school me as I was a mainc-depressive isolated loner f***boy. Even if you want to be loved, don’t try to get in someone’s pants just for s***s and giggles. And if you’re dealing with mental health crises, go seek help. I said you’re the only one who can break you out of your isolation, your hell. I mean that you’re the only person who can enact a change within yourself. That said. OMFGosh, that felt good to finally get off my chest. But enough about me.

This song is hauntingly beautiful and, like I said, it touched my soul. So I listened to it, loved the emotion and wanted to share it with you, SOTB Faithful. It is a track that’ll stick to you like a hearty meal. It’s a stick-to-your-ribs sort of emotional gut punch that’ll leave you wanting to talk to the old you and say “hey, old me. We can beat this darkness, we can fight against the blackness, we can feel the light on our face and say ‘I’m stronger than I was yesterday’.” So, check it out below.

If you like this, give Gen a follow on her platforms and support dope music in all its forms. She’s super talented. In all honestly, she plays like a mix between Billie Eilish and Soundgarden, if that makes sense. But, you may stumble when you’re younger (or even now). However, you live, you learn, you grow and you (maybe) become a journalist with a knack for relating every story to a personal experience. In case you’re wondering, that’s what I mean when I say “if it don’t touch my soul, then I can’t listen to it.”