The song 'What's Up?' by Mom Jeans. delves into themes of emotional struggle, the facade of wellness, and internal conflict. The lyrics portray a person grappling with their mental state, unable to reconcile their outward blessings with the emptiness and dissatisfaction they feel internally. The character speaks to their own instability, the pressures of unmet obligations, and the dissonance between their external support system and their internal sense of turmoil.
The emotional journey of 'What's Up?' by Mom Jeans. takes the listener through the depths of an individual's introspective battle. At the outset, there's a weary acceptance of one's own failures and unkept promises, hinting at the weight of expectations and the struggle to maintain composure. The singer openly confesses to struggling with day-to-day motivation, feeling out of step and alienated from the self.
As the song moves forward, the pre-chorus plunges into an internal monologue reflecting on the inexplicable nature of their melancholy. Despite having supportive friends and family, there's an overwhelming sense of feeling 'lousy' that cannot be shaken off. This contradiction exposes the complexity of mental health and how it can remain unhinged from one's external circumstances.
During the crescendo of emotions in the chorus, the song’s intensity peaks with a raw and vulnerable declaration of the character's mental state. Despite recognizing the good in their life, there's a disheartening struggle with pretending to be okay when they are far from it, signifying the often unseen battle against depression or anxiety.
The bridge starkly shifts to a harsh self-critique, where the singer labels themselves as detestable and believes they're perceived as such by others. It's a moment of unguarded self-deprecation that many can relate to when in the grips of psychological distress. The subsequent verse indicates a communication breakdown with someone close, perhaps as a symptom of the emotional turmoil they're facing.
"You've got a lot on your plate this week"
This line speaks to the overwhelming feeling of having too many commitments or responsibilities, which can contribute to stress and deteriorating mental health.
"Avoiding everything and saying I'm fine"
Here, the artist illustrates the common tendency to hide one's true feelings behind a facade of contentment, often used to avoid confronting deeper emotional issues or to prevent burdening others.
"Should be thankful for The friends I have around me"
The recognition of having support yet still feeling unhappy exposes the guilt and confusion that can accompany depression, where a person understands they have reasons to feel grateful but can't reconcile those with their emotional state.
"Crossing our wires, oversensitive to everything you say to me"
This metaphor describes miscommunications and heightened emotional reactions that can strain relationships, particularly when someone is in a distressed mental state.