Time to listen to yourself.

Two weeks into the new year, how is it being your best self? The better version of you, sculpted, teetotal, slimmer greener? Has it worked? Have you met those milestones? No? Wondering why? Beating yourself up about it, buried under a blanket and blaming the weather? Reality is ringing, you can not redefine yourself just because you said you would. Creating a person takes 9 months why would you believe that in a week you can become someone recognisable? Why would you want that? Who told you to be this way?

Of course you can create a different version of yourself and analyse the differences on a week to week bias but you must forgive yourself the days that you choose to tick the TV on instead of going for a 10k run, or the night you scoff chocolate over kale. You work harder than you think, forgive yourself.

In her latest EP , [RE] DEFINING Darcy Louch reminds us to reflect on all we have been through and what we have become. We’ve been waiting on the precipice of our potential withheld from ourselves due to the voices within.

The most critical voice is usually one only you can hear. The schoolyard bully, the egotistical boss and the loveless parent, all give volume to this voice, recognise their names and call them by it. the voice that tells us how lazy we are being , how stupid we are how ugly we look, we are bullied by ourselves to conform to some other ideal to silence the voice. This voice is not yours so why listen to it?

This abusive relationship we have with ourselves stops us from feeling love. Be kinder to yourself, be your own parent, your own boss. Had a difficult day at work but determined to workout for 2 hours straight? No that’s unrealistic, go on a short jog, do something light which still allows you to feel a sense of achievement, if getting through that shift wasn’t enough. Not feeling yourself. That’s okay, encourage yourself to do something for you. You are not lazy for watching a few episodes of your favourite show, or even a full series in one sitting, you are taking time for you. Just had dinner but still hungry? Clearly dinner wasn’t enough, have something else, you are not greedy or unhealthy for listening to the needs of your body.

Louch’s voice will drown out the bellow in your mind. Battling against her own bullies, her powerful ballads and poignant poetry touch provides an audible army for us against the aggression of the world within ourselves. 

Her song Proud is about taking ownership over your own achievements, celebrating yourself and how you’ve grown. She reminds us appreciate what we have done for ourselves and acknowledge how we continue to defy our inner demons. It is about prioritising yourself and not feeling guilty for doing so.

Louch empowers us as well as herself with her songs. Her EP reminds us we are on a a shared journey, we do not have to face ourselves alone.

Same Stars has slight edge to it, there is defiance to these words. The pace of the song is gradually build up that brings the bold back into our bones. We have the right to choose. It’s the same sky you’re staring at but the view looks different because shared with someone who’s searching for your stars.

[RE] DEFINING reflects on Louch’s strengths, she’s had her setbacks but each time she comes back strengthened. There is resilience in redefining yourself, letting go of what does not serve you.

Her distinctive style follows on in the same might previously heard in her songs Lover’s Game and Worst Enemy although there is now a sense of surety to who she is. This soul is audible and makes for a liberating experience.

The next time you battle with your bully stick Louch on and defeat the demon. 

Listen to my podcast episode with Darcy for more on an insight into the mind of a musician.