True to their ambitious #lemon12 mission of releasing a new single every month in 2025, indie rock outfit Lemon delivers their June offering, “Music Is My Lifeline.” The track—a blend of Madchester, Nedchester, soul rock, and pop rock—grapples with a universal question: “If I didn’t have my music, where would I be?”
Written after a difficult year for songwriter Ralf Hesen and shaped by today’s chaotic world, the song’s lyrics struck a chord with the entire band, becoming their unofficial mantra. Despite its uplifting energy, “Music Is My Lifeline” opens with raw honesty: “This wicked world is driving me crazy,” later admitting, “There’s little I find that makes life worth living for.” Yet, as the title suggests, the track champions music as salvation—“Music is what keeps me sane.”
The groove gains extra punch from drummer Paul Hesen’s bongo work, while guest vocalist Yasmina van Gurp (a first-time collaborator) adds soulful depth, weaving in a nod to Kiki Dee’s “I’ve Got the Music in Me.” The track closes on an optimistic note, with lead vocals declaring, “Sometimes life ain’t so bad at all.”
With five albums and a reputation for electrifying live performances (having supported Primal Scream, The Charlatans, and Stereo MC’s), Lemon continues their momentum with summer slots at De Parade Festival and Bergen Live Festival. “Music Is My Lifeline” stands as both a personal anthem and a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever turned to music for solace.
‘Music Is My Lifeline’ is Lemon at their most honest and infectious—an uplifting anthem born from chaos, reminding us why music still matters
