JMSEY says it’s always time to be a “Best Friend”

On October 10, the world “celebrated” World Mental Health Day. An ever-important day to connect, open up, study, and raise awareness about the importance of seeking and our psychological well-being. We’re all largely responsible for our own minds because nobody can go to therapy for us or know exactly what is going on in our heads- but you know what helps? having someone there for you. Someone who asks, someone who cares and is there for you. This is what JMSEY’s newest song is truly about.

Out of London and Into Sacramento, James Nguyen AKA: JMSEY is an alt-pop/rock artist at a geographical crossroads manifested in the many contrasting sentiments and emotions conveyed by his sounds and lyrics. The sunny, beat-driven disposition of the west coast coupled with the distorted and mournful melodic and vocal character from across the pond.

“Let’s be friends on the weekend, Better yet Best friends / Please catch me I’m falling…Stumbling cause this life’s really sad” ~ Best Friends

“Best Friend” showcases a lot of the Britpop sensibilities that JMSEY picked up in his youth, and as usual, the upbeat and energetic track belies the raw and often heartbreaking tale of his lyrics. Outside of its heavy and meaningful context, this is perhaps one of JMSEY’s finest tracks. It’s catchy and intoxicating, full of personality and attitude. When you get taken by its distorted guitars, it all feels so perfectly nostalgic and moody, like the song itself is blaring out of a mid 90’s stereo picking up a signal from an alternative station from the UK.

This track deals with a lot of personal trauma and frustration for JMSEY, stemming from the tragic loss of a close friend of his back in 2021. In “Best Friend” he exposes his feelings of guilt for not realizing sooner the depth and severity of his friend’s inner struggles and then going so far as questioning the last time they spoke together, trying to set up a weekend hangout that never came due to a tight schedule.

Our society’s heavy reliance on social media is to blame for this unsustainable desire to seem happy at all times. By only sharing the good times, we’re lessening our empathy toward those who are struggling, resulting in a sort of numbness toward people who don’t have something to show off or a selfie to share -JMSEY

To those who have lost someone in this manner, it is often guilt and regret that are the greatest hurdle to overcome in the grieving process. JMSEY’s answer is clear: Let us work so that we never have to grieve someone in our lives, for this reason, let us be a friend, let us be kind and generous with all. Don’t wait ’till your friend asks for help. Don’t wait until they open up. Don’t wait until they show signs. Don’t wait until it’s too late to say or do anything at all. perhaps the most precious thing we have in this world is the love we have for each other, and however little time we have to make that count.