Funky Indigo Entertainment artist, Jovanna released a single titled Brain On Fire on February 7, 2021. The genre is R&B and Soul. This single is about the struggles of mental illness. It is an important issue prevalent in the current times and affects all people to varying degrees (Enza Boderone). This statement is true because of one valid reason. According to the World Health Organization Website, around 450 million people currently suffer from mental disorders. It is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide (WHO). Therefore, the track has a special meaning behind it. It acknowledges the mental illnesses that some people face in their lives.
However, what makes this track informative is Jovanna sharing her experience with her mental illness. The song is about the artist’s journey of numbness and pain while dealing with OCD and anxiety disorder. The song has a melancholic introduction with repetitive beats in the background and an infectious chorus, all leading to a buildup that resembles a cry for help (Enza Boderone). Moreover, Jovanna said, “Music is a place for self-expression without feeling the fear of judgment.”
There are crucial points to consider. The song has mentioned mental disorders like OCD and anxiety. OCD stands for Obsessive-compulsive disorder. What is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts (WebMD Website). Moreover, as stated by other sources, anxiety or anxiety disorders disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities. From my perspective, the fact that Jovanna had faced these mental illnesses yet still wants to share her story means something. She has proven to be a strong woman. It seems this song is also dedicated to others who have a mental illness. They can still have a better life. In other words, the song uplifts others.
Jovanna seems to have mentioned her motto when it comes to making music. She said that music is a place for self-expression without feeling the fear of judgment. Therefore, that could be the other reason why she released the single. She was expressing herself without any fear of judgment hence why the song is emotional.
What is the meaning behind the title of the song? It is a deeply personal and powerful ballad (Enza Boderone). If one pays attention to Jovanna's description of the track, Brain On Fire is an expression to express how she felt when she had OCD and anxiety. It was taking a toll on her mental state.
The track is unique, informative, and inspiring. All of this is revealed through the song lyrics. For instance, Jovanna said :
Pre-chorus
"With each cut, I stopped the pain
But it always comes back the same
I don’t want to fight this on my own
But, no one knows…"
She is expressing how she felt when she had OCD and anxiety. It was affecting her emotionally in a negative way. Therefore, it explains why in this particular part, her vocals seem deeper. The piano playing in the background makes the mood melancholic. Hands clapping in the background. She even went on to emphasize the word, "knows" to show that literally, no one knew what was going on in her mind. It was like her brain was on fire.
Another crucial part of the song lyrics is the chorus. This is shown when it said :
Chorus
"My brain’s on fire
Sure feels like a living hell
My brain’s on fire
Free me from this prison cell
My brain’s on fire
I’m losing my own fucking self
My brain’s on fire
My brain’s on fire"
The way it seems, it resembles a cry for help (Enza Boderone). The beat and vocals are upbeat. From my point of view, there is another reason why the chorus resembles a cry for help. It seems she is having a conversation with her alter ego. For instance, Jovanna said, My brain's on fire while the alter ego said, Sure feels like I'm living hell. Jovanna seems to be having conflicted emotions about whether to seek help or continue suffering. This chorus has brought out the emotional aspect. Therefore, that is why the track addresses the struggles of mental illness. It is not easy to endure it or speak up about it. This is because one may be afraid of being judged. Therefore, the song has a melancholic introduction with repetitive beats in the background and an infectious chorus, all leading to a buildup that resembles a cry for help (Enza Boderone).
In a nutshell, Brain On Fire is unique, informative, and inspiring. It is informative because it has mentioned mental disorders like OCD and anxiety. It is unique because it is rare to find an artist who opens up about their obstacles in dealing with mental illness. It is inspiring because an artist is opening up about which influences others to seek help. Moreover, Jovanna has a strong vocal arrangement, for example, her soulful voice. She has brought out the pain and emotion in the song. Therefore, I rate this track 10/10.
More details about the artist provided by Enza Boderone :
J0VANNA is a South Florida native. She began singing and performing at local venues at an early age as part of a kid rock band and as a solo performer. She also has had the honour of singing the national anthem for the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, and the Florida Panthers. Currently, J0VANNA is a Berklee student, majoring in Music Business.
J0VANNA is working on her unnamed EP, which she hopes to release sometime in the fall of 2021.
To connect with J0VANNA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xjovannamusicx/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XJ0VANNAMUSICX
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XJOVANNAMUSICX
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/J0VANNA