Carving an ethereal sonic soundscape, LA-based emerging artist Aakanksha pulls listeners in within the first moments of her second single ‘help me help you’. Shaping a cinematic sound that draws you inwards, you can feel the music slowly transporting you before her soulful vocals brings depth and completeness, and brings you down to earth.
Released last month, the track begins with a question, ‘where have you been, my love?’ – highlighting its reflective theme, and pointing a message on self-discovery.
Behind the track with TuneCore, Aakanksha shares how the story behind the song was ‘to pay homage to the past versions of myself’.
I think that this is the beauty of songwriting as a listener. Being able to draw parallels with experiences that are outside your own. It also is a testament to the power of independent female artistry, with the track written by Aakanksha herself and co-produced.
I particularly love the production transition, building momentum through futuristic instrumental and vocal layers and bringing the track to a heightened level sonically. As it reaches its peak, it feels like a beautiful moment of self-actualisation, of self-discovery.
It’s hit me how the track came to me at a time of deep self-realisations.
Things I had suppressed and held on from the past were coming into light. And practising deep reflection made me vulnerably aware of past versions of myself that were flawed. How I could only ‘meet’ others from my level of understanding at that time, and giving my younger self grace now that I have evolved and grown.
Reiterating Aakanksha’s words, the track feels monumental as I shed what no longer serves me. Where I have made the choice to choose myself, despite all the grief I’ve experienced and felt, despite setbacks and letting fear rule over my truth too many countless times.
I’ve learnt that with time and experience comes knowledge and I hope, some wisdom.
‘help me help you’ feels like an anthem to your present and future self, to make yourself proud and find courage to live your truth.
Listen to ‘help me help you’ (official visualiser) below and find Aakanksha on Apple Music here.
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