Jessica Vaughn, professionally known as LACES, shares a new anthem for the survivor in her latest single "they say." Over email, Vaughn shares, "'they say" is a song about the process of living through trauma in a country that often asks you to smile through it and forget it. Being a survivor isn’t a choice, it’s the next step after you’ve been painted a victim. Trauma changes you, but together we won’t let it break us." Joining together with fellow musicians FLAVIA, BELLSAINT, and Amanda Brown, the foursome pen a record that is made for the survivor to be seen, heard, recognized, understood, and supported.
Our society and has created obstacles for survivors, making justice difficult and closure nearly impossible, but "they say" is meant to empower the perceived powerless. The track contains references to outdated adages and intrusive microaggressions that haunt most survivors, especially women and female-presenting folks. The single then it pushes through to self-actualization.“Being a survivor isn’t a choice,” shares Vaughn, “it’s the next step after you’ve been painted a victim. Trauma changes you, but together we won’t let it break us.”
Set over soft piano chords, honest and stripped backed vocals, each artist comes through in their own right, with their personal emotional take on the single and portrayal of the lyrical content. All of the power is singularity felt at the outro when the foursome come together in a vocal unison to set the stage for others around the world to join in. The single is an important one and the collaboration meant to be a cry against the status quo as well as a roadmap to recovery. Listen below.
