‘M.H.’

Today, Monday 9th May 2022 marks the start of Mental Heath Awareness Week and as such, we thought there is perhaps no better time than to introduce you to the brand new single from Kent based singer/songwriter Wez King.

Wez released his latest track ‘M.H.‘ last Friday. It is a track that he has produced and released entirely as a means to raise awareness and vital funds for The Mental Health Foundation. Its his way of giving back to a cause which he, like many others, considers so critical and important.

The Mental Health Foundation started Mental Health Awareness Week 21 years ago this year and they continue to set a theme each year, as well as organise and host the week. It has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.

Mental Health Awareness Week this year, the charity is seeking to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on mental health and the practical steps that can taken to try and address it.

One in four adults feel lonely some or all of the time in their lives. There’s no single cause and there’s no one solution. After all, we’re all different! But, the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems. Some people are also at higher risk of feeling lonely than others. There’s no one right or wrong way to feel, but being open and breaking stigmas is a massive step in trying to help and overcome the issues that many of us will at some time face.

I recently sent this song to my colleague Del to have a listen to as I knew that not only would the subject matter be of interest to him, but that musically it would also blow him away! Here’s what Del had to say:

“This is a subject very close to my heart, having spent the last few months working on a project that will raise funds for mental health charities I was keen to listen to and learn more about the story behind this track.

Musically, the guitars are crunchy and processed, the intro builds up the song, lots of anticipation…

Then you hear Wez’s voice.

Admittedly before this song, I’d never heard of him, but he’s gained a fan in me purely for the fact that he brings a raspy blues to a rock song, and it makes me want to see what he sounds like live… It’s a thing of beauty.

Drums.

Let’s talk about the drums. The snare’s tuned down, giving it some punch along with the kick sitting right there, the majority of the song is carried on the ride cymbal played on 8th notes….

Nice.

There’s also a piano wandering in and out I thought initially it was a Wurlitzer, but it’s not it’s a slightly detuned piano – I’m going to guess here at it being an upright, with mics inside. It just feels like that. Proper skilled recording!

So, like I said this song is about mental health, and it’s a subject that needs to be broached as it’s not talked about enough, Wez says of this song: “After being admitted to hospital myself following a long term addiction to prescription drugs, the song was written whilst going through the withdrawal process. The song expresses the importance of being more open about mental health issues which are experienced by so many and for this reason, I’ve decided to use this release to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation.”

As someone who’s working on the Everyone+Everything project this is something that awareness needs to be raised, and it’s something I will always hold an open door policy for.”

In fact Del loved the new track so much that he decided to include it in this week’s instalment of our radio show, ‘The Songbird Sessions’ on Islington Radio.

‘M.H.’ features Wez King on Guitar,piano and Vocals and Tim Jarzebek on drums. The track was recorded at The Libertines HQ in Margate, The Albion Rooms, and was recorded and produced by Jason Stafford with mastering by Soundbeard.

Listen to ‘M.H.’ here now

You can donate to THE MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION here

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Words and Review by Sally Newman and Del Osei-Owusu