The Lael Project Releases Insidious, A Posthumous Single From Lael Summer

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, The Lael Project released Insidious, a powerful posthumous single from Lael Summer, honoring her legacy by fostering open conversations about mental health through raw, fearless music.

Insidious

The Lael Project has unveiled “Insidious,” the third posthumous single from New York soul/pop artist Lael Summer, a rising talent whose deeply personal lyrics and commanding vocals earned her early acclaim from publications like EarMilk, The Big Takeover, Kings of A&R, PopDose, and Soul Tracks before her tragic death by suicide at age 24.

This haunting track continues Lael’s mission of fostering open, honest conversations about mental health, suicide, and eating disorders, offering a raw and intimate glimpse into her lifelong struggles. Through The Lael Project, Lael’s legacy endures, touching lives and encouraging healing through music and storytelling.

A Legacy of Courage and Connection

Lael Summer’s music was defined by her fearless honesty, using her art to confront the complexities of mental illness. “Insidious” is no exception, serving as both a personal reflection and a universal call for compassion.

The song captures the unpredictable nature of mental health challenges, where moments of clarity can be swiftly overtaken by turmoil. Lael’s ability to articulate her experiences resonated with listeners, earning her a dedicated following and critical praise during her short but impactful career. Her work continues to inspire, reminding those who struggle that they are not alone.

In September 2024, Lael’s mother, writer and artist Marla Mase, founded The Lael Project to honor her daughter’s life, music, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Lael’s wish was simple yet profound: to “help just one person” by encouraging open dialogue about mental health issues, including depression, suicide, and eating disorders. Mase, a firm believer in the transformative power of storytelling, sees The Lael Project as a platform to amplify Lael’s voice and foster connection. By sharing Lael’s music and story, the project aims to break the stigma surrounding mental illness, offering hope and solidarity to those in need.

“Insidious”: A Raw and Restored Masterpiece

Written and demoed on Lael’s iPhone just weeks before her passing, “Insidious” is an unflinching exploration of her battles with depression, suicidality, and eating disorders. The track, produced and mixed by Tomás Doncker and James Dellatacoma, features Lael’s raw vocal, meticulously extracted and restored from the original iPhone demo using cutting-edge recording technology. The result is a powerful, emotive performance that preserves the intimacy of Lael’s vision while enhancing its emotional depth. Doncker notes that Lael’s lyrics were fully realized when they began crafting the track, with a mysterious and brooding atmosphere that reflected her bold, unapologetic approach to songwriting.

Mase describes “Insidious” as more than a song—it’s a mirror for the millions grappling with the emotional instability of mental illness. Lael personified her struggles as “the murderer” in her mind, a way to separate the illness from her true self and better understand its grip. The song confronts the lies that mental illness can perpetuate: feelings of hopelessness, defectiveness, and isolation. Through her brutally honest lyrics, Lael not only expressed her fears but also extended a lifeline to others, encouraging them to recognize their own struggles and seek help. “Insidious” is a hand reaching through the darkness, a message of solidarity that says, “I hear you, you are not alone.”

The Power of Fearless Expression

Lael’s fearless approach to her music set her apart as an artist. Doncker emphasizes her intensity, noting that she tackled her subject matter head-on, never shying away from the raw emotion of her experiences. Her lyrics and melodic choices in “Insidious” reflect this courage, creating a track that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The song’s production complements Lael’s vision, with a haunting soundscape that underscores the weight of her words while allowing her voice to shine.

A Call to Break the Silence

Through The Lael Project, Mase seeks to carry forward Lael’s mission of breaking the silence around mental health. By sharing her daughter’s story, she hopes to inspire others to open up about their own experiences, fostering a sense of community and reducing the shame often associated with mental illness.

The release of “Insidious” is a testament to Lael’s enduring impact, a reminder that her music continues to touch lives and spark meaningful conversations. As Mase puts it, the song is Lael’s way of reaching out, still helping “just one person, maybe more,” and paving a path toward healing.

Continuing Lael’s Mission

The Lael Project is more than a tribute—it’s a movement to honor Lael Summer’s legacy by using her music as a catalyst for change. “Insidious” stands as a powerful testament to her courage, talent, and commitment to helping others.

As The Lael Project continues to share Lael’s story and music, it invites listeners to join in the conversation, to share their own experiences, and to find strength in connection. Through this work, Lael’s voice lives on, offering hope, understanding, and a reminder that no one faces their struggles alone.

Find more from The Lael Project now:

Website: https://www.thelaelproject.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaelproject
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Qcn8NMnnDUXa1QxDG2KD4?si=Bif0-BqJQKeoVJUAAy6wnw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lael-summer/516638467

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