The Strumbellas Reset & Return With “Greatest Enemy”
The Strumbellas make their return with “Greatest Enemy” & by supporting mental health initiatives
The pandemic brought the music industry to a near halt that’s still – unfortunately – continuing into 2021. Juno award winning group The Strumbellas were on touring hiatus, focusing on their well being and taking the time to recenter, before eventually coming up with new music. A surprise release, “Greatest Enemy” comes after the band spent nearly a year apart, having reconvened in November 2020. True to their usual sound that fans have grown to know and love, the new track carries with it a powerful message as well.
Written by frontman Simon Ward, “Greatest Enemy” highlights emotions and thoughts many have experienced in dealing with the crazy year that was 2020. In one verse, the lyrics “I’m trying to break out of this feeling like I’m in a casket / I can’t get past it, all of this madness, I want to set my past on fire, I’ll strike a match and / I don’t want to feel this come down” give voice to the feelings of being physically and emotionally isolated. The track connects to the human experience, with the intention of highlighting music as a tool that anyone can turn to for support when and as needed.
The accompanying animated video illustrates the lyrics both literally and figuratively. The two figures that the video is centered around work their way out of a dreary, dark landscape into a colourful, vibrant place. You’ll see their journey, and eventually come to find that they are one in the same, bringing the video full circle. As the chorus repeats, “I know I’ll always be my greatest enemy” – overcoming your own inner battles is a unique fight, that you’re waging against yourself for yourself.
As a whole, the release offers a message of hope and optimism. Through “Greatest Enemy”, The Strumbellas hope to make the conversation of mental health heard, as 2020 has been a uniquely challenging year for producers, engineers, crew members, artists, and more. The band is working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CMA) through this release, with the aim to both raise awareness and funds for the organization.
Take a music break, and give the video for “Greatest Enemy” a watch:
