Eryn Allen Kane – “fragile”, Breaking Free From Generational Trauma

Highly anticipated Eryn Allen Kane comes back from the Aviary and the Concept of The Bird in a Cage, This double EP has been a great debut introduction to the world for Kane’s music.

While the Aviary Act I referred as her mission statement as an artist, her “purpose as a singer”, the Act II showcased her Old Soul DNA, overwhelmed by a Church spirit.

4 years ago, she already was in the process to write songs about “losing love to depression (Slipping, Still In Love), about being forgotten because of who you are, about family loss, suicide, about being a woman, being judged as a woman (Feel The Need), about never giving up despite many of these things, about loving yourself“.

This year, loyal to her mission statement, she offers a brand single to the world, titled “fragile”.

Perfectionnist, she cares for every single detail, from the songwriting, to the choreography, and even the lowercase for “fragile”, to emphasize the idea of weakness and vulnerability.

The voicing is suggestive, acting poignant, rendition frenetic, vocal signature acknowledgeable at the end of the tune, when it gets more intense. This is material to be played and replayed on and on and on.

If these walls could talk, they sure would echo the painful cries that remained unheard and muted.

Talking about the choreography, the dancers give a picture perfect of the meaning of the song, for every word… Healing song that deals with loneliness, and the stubborness to build up walls, so we can look tough enough though we really we scramble inside these tall walls, left alone in our toughest days.

This is a powerful track to unleash feelings, unapologetically, and heal from the traumas that women have to stand strong.  As Eryn explains

“I wrote a song about generational trauma called “Fragile”. The idea that my traumas are my mothers and her mothers. They’re passed down from one strong woman to the next. We’re told “you’re tough as nails” while we struggle trying to take on the weight of the world. We’re told “you’re not in pain” when we are hurting. We’re told “you’re too loud” when we try to speak up. We’re told “you’re too aggressive” when we are passionate. We manage everyone’s feelings, hiding our own tears, hiding who we are; it becomes second nature.
I wrote this song about the beauty and strength in vulnerability. About addressing the traumas our ancestors passed down to us so we can begin to heal. I dedicate this to my mother, my grandmother, my female ancestors, women of color who are born into this world carrying a specifically heavy load, and to any of you out there who have learned to ignore your own voice for someone else’s sake.

We take on this idea that we aren’t worthy of being considered and yet somehow we continue considering, loving deeply, and asking for so little in return. Mostly because we barely know how to ask for anything at all. As these things occur we create these barriers between us and our own emotions. Disassociating ourselves from our own bodies, our own feelings, as a means to cope. It can be a dangerous place to live in.”

And the video does stunningly justice to Eryn’s vision for this song, casting dark skinned and light skinned female dancers, built up like the walls they’re building for themselves.

In a way, men and fathers can relate to this song too, for men are being told from generation to generation to know the definition of a man, and stand tall, proud and strong. How many fathers wouldn’t dare crying in front of their kids because they won’t allow to show out weakness, humanity.

“fragile” is the second song directly linked to her mother since Feel The Need.

The dark skinned dancer clearly stands as Eryn’s momma, and ancestors if you go beyond.

Their choreography, which recalls Eryn’s dance for the Have Mercy video pictures the reflection of two generations, with Eryn Allen Kane fighting to break free.

“They say you can’t have nice things
And your soles will be worn (wo-orn)
‘Cause your dirt road ain’t paved
Your clothes and your self worth are torn
But baby you got a song to sing
So to hell with that, just shout!
And that song makes you king so sing out and
Pay no mind!
Baby, they just blind
Just you wait until they see your shine” – Feel the Need

Reminiscing lyrics from Feel The Need, then listening back to the Reality Check from the Telefone tape, one can imagine the deepest conversation Eryn Allen Kane may have shared with Noname on the topic of vulnerability, about their ancestors. and their position as singers and rappers.

My smile in all black
Mississippi vagabond
Granny gone turn up in her grave
And say, my granny really was a slave for this
All your uncompleted similes and pages ripped
You know they whipped us niggas
How you afraid to rap it – Reality Check

While Eryn sings words similar to what her mother used to tell her if you refer to the song Feel The Need

Don’t fear the light
That dwells deep within
You are powerful
Beyond what you imagine
Just let your light glow – Reality Check