“Vulnerability Hangover” is a term coined by Brene Brown—a best selling author and researcher specializing in courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy—that she describes as: “the feeling that sweeps over us after we feel the need to connect… and we share something deeply meaningful. Minutes, hours, or days later, we begin to feel regret sweep over us like a warm wave of nausea.” This term inspired a truthful song written in twenty minutes at midnight, several hours after one of the many times I was open and honest and regretted it. Shame is a hard pill to swallow, but it’s something that all of us experience to varying degrees. This song is my attempt to connect with anyone and everyone who understands what it’s like to crave the freedom of not feeling judged when we are being our raw, uncensored selves.

Vulnerability Hangover

“Mirage” is a departure sonically and topically from the sultry ‘sad-bop’ lamenting about her lack of trust in human beings that is “Vulnerability Hangover.” Higher in tempo, energy, and optimism, “Mirage” focuses primarily on the topic of the power of thought—that what we speak out loud and say in our minds creates our personal reality. Additionally, “Mirage” speaks on the importance of being there for ourselves; being our our own best friends and supporters. The intention of this song is to either remind people or let them know for the first time that they are never alone because they have themselves.

Mirage

“Death Wish” a pop/indie record that calls out white male privilege and the direct impact it has on women’s lives. On many occasions I have offended people by speaking openly about how damaging white male privilege is and how we need more men to stop being ignorant and entitled and start to speak up for us as allies. Recently, I got to a boiling point where I realized I have seen and heard too many ignorant actions for me not to write an entire song about it. What a lot of men lack is empathy—the willingness to put themselves in another person’s shoes and see the world from a marginalized person’s point of view—because, growing up in their privilege, it wasn’t something they were taught was important. If a man put himself in my life for one day, he would feel so much fear, shame, and a lack of respect from others just for being a woman. If he knew what it was like to have to walk around in public in broad daylight, clutching onto his pepper spray, praying no one harasses him just for existing, there’s no doubt in my mind he wouldn’t feel my pain and start to be a vocal ally for women.

Death Wish

ZOË is an innovative singer, songwriter, and producer whose passion for music is outweighed only by her desire to speak openly about mental health and feminism. Her vast catalog of brutally honest pop songs covers the latter and much more. ZOË’s music is influenced by sounds from 80s artists and world music. Check out her music on all major streaming services!

ZOË

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