If there’s one thing that’s for certain, it’s that life is full of difficult decisions, changes, and tribulations. When these things present themselves to us, it’s natural to get stuck in the currents of our own mind; so deep within ourselves that we miss the glaringly obvious answers that we seek. That’s the tale that singer/songwriter Shane Cloutier chronicles in his new single, “Maybe,” off his latest album “Lie to Me ‘til it’s Over.”
The arrangement of this song is simple between the hand-plucked acoustic guitar, harmonizing vocals, and a mainly muted drum, intentionally chosen to juxtapose the chaos and confusion happening within the lyrics. It serves its subtext duties incredibly well as it points out to the song’s protagonist that the answers are simple and there is no need for overthinking. Think of it as an interpretation of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”— in this case specifically, the answers are in the musical arrangement. In doing that, it forces the listener to focus on the lyrics, which reflect a wandering, scattered mind, citing that he can’t remember important parts to his story that would help him come to a conclusion. This juxtaposition proves how an acoustic song can pack such a hearty punch in under four minutes without being overbearing or heavy-handed. Instead, you get a sonically pleasing and lyrically complex song that can be analyzed quite literally like a novel.
Shane Cloutier is a Canadian alt-folk singer/songwriter who has been in the music game for years, but at no easy cost; he began making music after facing tragedy, with his guitar and his pen as a way to cope with his struggles. As a result, he writes from a unique perspective that truly touches on what it means to be alive. This has earned him both critical acclaim and endorsements, and is the only Canadian endorsed for Ibanez and Lady Amplification. His latest album, “Lie to Me ‘til it’s Over” exposes life’s most important things, and what makes us truly resilient beings.
Written by Jess Ward