On March 29th, The Maine released their long anticipated album You Are OK. The sound on the record is a change from what we’re used to seeing from the band, but it still feels right. It showcases maturity, and an understanding that the experiences we have are what make us, which is a consistent message through the songs on the album.
The opening song, “Slip The Noose” is cinematic. It reminds me of music I would listen to growing up; closing my eyes, it brings me right back to my childhood. It feels familiar, but unique and fresh at the same time. In fact, much of the album feels this way. The sound is crafted in a way that reflects on your past, but reminds you of who you are now. It’s nostalgic but new, and feels like it tells a movie-length story in only 44 minutes.
“My Best Habit”, is one of the stand-out songs on the album. It’s an anthem about being yourself and true to who you are unapologetically, and is just what You Are OK aims to portray. It’s honest, fun, and shows a growth in who The Maine are on a personal level.
The closing track “Flowers On The Grave” feels as if it tells the story of You Are OK one more time before the album ends. It’s looking back on who you are with hindsight, and understanding that it’s okay to feel things, but to also move past these feelings. Coming in at just over nine minutes (nearly a quarter of the album’s length), the song is captivating, and guides you through each emotion you could possibly face. The best possible way I could explain the feeling the song portrays, is that it feels like falling in and out of love for the first time. The joy, excitement and sadness are all there, but by the end, you’ve moved on and are able to look back fondly on those memories for making you who you are. Without a doubt, “Flowers On The Grave” is my favorite song on the album; every moment of the nine minutes and twenty three seconds of the is worth it.
In a world riddled with hate and anger, You Are OK is the album we need right now. It’s a friendly reminder that it’s okay to feel things, no matter how scary it may be, and you should never apologize for how your emotions influence who you are as a person. Once again, The Maine has given us a powerful and refreshing break from how we treat ourselves
