Alex Deems Shows He Is The “Stranger To Trust” With The Growing Pains of Being Human
If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that life is not always easy. Whether it's a broken relationship, a loss of something or someone you love, or simply just a bad stretch, all of these difficult experiences are bound to happen to any one of us in our lifetime. It is what makes us human, and what shapes us into who we are. But sometimes, all you need is a friend to have your back through the hard times.
That friend can be Alex Deems.
Despite his youth, this indie pop artist shows that he’s been through it all. Rather than letting himself crumble, he used his experiences as the components to a work of art. His latest EP, ‘A Stranger To Trust’ touches upon a series of relatable conflicts and emotional struggles that he has experienced throughout his lifetime, and that many of us can connect back to our own lives.
Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Alex Deems is a young, fun-loving musician who possesses many talents not only in singing and songwriting, but in production, art, and animation as well. He incorporates all of his skills into his craft, and showcases how well-rounded he is as an artist.
However, what Alex Deems really is as both a person and an artist, is authentic. He writes music with the goal of connecting to himself as much as he can connect to others, which shines through in ‘A Stranger To Trust’. Every track on the EP follows the course of an emotional conflict, starting at the beginning of his emotional journey, and ending with a resolution. Listeners of this six-song project will be taken for a ride on a roller coaster of feelings, and will dive deep into the thought process of a troubled soul. Contributors to ‘A Stranger To Trust’ describe it as a “rock opera of sorts” that will “leave you in a state of unsettling satisfaction.”
On his Instagram account, Alex gave a brief description of what each song on the project meant and the inspiration behind it:
The first track, ‘come back down’, “is about severing that tie with the people who held me back, from their perspective.” According to Alex, he dedicates this song to the people who kill the mood and enjoy seeing you at your lowest. If you have had to deal with some haters in your life, then this song can really strike a chord for you.
‘fine’ is the second track on the EP, inspired by the feeling of pushing down your negative emotions and acting like everything is okay on the outside. For Alex, his troubles came from the pandemic and the people with whom he used to be close, drifting apart for various reasons.
‘much to say’, as Alex says, is his personal favorite. As many of us grow up, we encounter those people that hold you back and act fake towards you. As Alex has learned through his experiences, he says, “Eventually it comes time to cut off those people and try to keep more positivity around you.”
‘gentle giant’ acts as the turning point for the EP, when the mood shifts into a darker tone and “the sun sets''. According to Alex, “It’s a short track about self isolation. When the emotions explode and the answers become clear. It’s time to rebuild and that starts with walking away.”
The second-to-last song, ‘open up’ talks about the fear of being vulnerable, in order to allow more positive forces into your life. After exiting quarantine and being granted a fresh start, Alex decided to allow himself to “tear down some walls” in order to build stronger relationships around him. The pandemic has definitely given all of us the opportunity to reflect and start anew, and while it has been a challenge for many, Alex reminds you that you are not alone in the endeavor.
Lastly, ‘for good’ is the conclusion to the EP and the conclusion to Alex’s emotional rollercoaster. He states, “I wrote this song as an acknowledgement of the fact that nothing is going to stay the same. Everything must end and that’s alright.” In order to accept himself, Alex realizes that he must accept that he will change as a person. This is a lesson that many of us can learn or probably have already learned, which makes this concluding track so relatable and touching to those who listen.
For those looking for someone to trust and support you through your emotional struggles; and especially if you are a fan of indie pop artists such as Clairo, The Wallows, COIN, and Glass Animals, Alex Deems is just the guy to help you through. His music shows a deep understanding of how these difficult experiences contribute to our character, and emphasizes just how natural -and most importantly, human- your feelings are. Alex Deems is the ‘Stranger to Trust’ because he will make you feel validated, as he has surely gone through similar hardships, and listening to this EP will remind you that you are never alone.
‘A Stranger To Trust’ had its official public release today on May 28th, 2021 and we invite you to listen it on your preferred music streaming platform at this link. Keep an eye out for the music video to its second track ‘fine’ which will drop on June 11th, 2021.
