Soulful singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis has released the music video for his new single, ‘I Know The Feeling’.
Having spent the past year writing in studios across London, Nashville, Stockholm, LA and Berlin, Rhys has grown as an artist through his lyrics, managing to deliver heartfelt offerings which capture various emotions.
‘I Know The Feeling’, which was written to help a friend in need, is no different. Produced by the Isle Wight based duo Boe Weaver, we are immediately hooked in by Rhys’ raw vocal as he croons over the powerful track.
Speaking about ‘I Know The Feeling’, Rhys said: “This song is about a friend of mine who was going through a tough time, but also about me because I’m saying that I know exactly how you feel. I guess this song is also about anyone who has been through a particularly dark time. It was written straight from the heart, so if it can help someone else get through a similar situation then that is the most rewarding thing for a songwriter.”
The video is poignant and aims to bring men’s mental health awareness to light. We see Rhys perform in a bar, whilst a man paints on a smile before going about his every day routine. The man struggles throughout the day, but hides his feelings behind a clown’s smile. There is light at the end of the tunnel however, as he eventually breaks through his darkness. Speaking about the concept behind the music video, Rhys said: “I think there is always an element of sadness behind comedy, so the idea of a man with a clown-like smile painted on his face is a really strong symbol for that. It felt like the right visuals and a powerful protagonist for the story.”
Seeing song-writing as a kind of ‘free therapy’, Rhys aims to raise awareness about issues not many want to address. “I think there is a lot of bravado that surrounds being a guy and being ‘macho’ that stems from a dated idea of what being a man is – brave face, man up, and don’t talk about your feelings,” he said. “But in reality, it takes a great amount of courage and bravery to be honest and vulnerable about how you feel. The pressure to be happy all the time and to be living the perfect life on social media is greater than ever, but I think if men could actually feel more comfortable being open in front of people or a friend, then that can change a lot of things.”
‘I Know The Feeling’ follows on from ‘Waking Up Without You’ and ‘Living In The City’. Rhys has already proven that he is a force to be reckoned with, delivering compelling tracks with a whole lot of heart. We can’t wait to hear more from him when he releases his debut album later this year.
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