In their video for “That’s Just Life” released Thursday, Memphis May Fire’s Matty Mullins participates in a familiar format: in between shots of the lead vocalist walking around a desolate neighborhood, 10 individuals of various ages and ethnicities hold up handwritten signs describing their respective struggles.
“I am a prisoner to my addiction,” reads one.
“Society says I’m not beautiful,” says another.
Others are more specific: “MS took my freedom”; “My P.T.S.D. ruined all my relationships.”
While it’s tempting to equate the omnipresence of discussions on mental illness–and, more broadly, the popularized ‘tortured soul’ narrative–with an erasure of stigma, one YouTube comment, signed Jamie, warns against becoming desensitized to a common, yet important, message:
“People are commenting this video is cliche. I don’t care if it’s cliche. Make a hundred more of these videos! Shove these issues in peoples faces and make them real. Quit ignoring them and be supportive. Be supportive, caring, and understanding. We need more love in this world” [sic].
Check out the video, directed and edited by Bryson Roatch, below, and let us know what you think.
