May Erlewine’s “Lion Heart” Is a Warm Folk-Pop Pick-Me-Up (premiere)

May Erlewine will release her new album, Tiny Beautiful Things, on 13 May. It’s a lush collection of songs from the folk-pop songwriter that features some notable collaborations with the likes of Theo Katzman (Vulfpeck) and others, including mixing from Caleb Parker (Scary Pockets), mastering from Devin Kerr (Goodhertz), and co-production with Joe Hettinga. The album embraces forging strong relationships through which we can communicate our most genuine selves with others—an intimate, universal kind of love. It’s a powerful message, especially so amid an ongoing pandemic.

Today, Erlewine premieres “Lion Heart” with PopMatters. Due out on 15 April, this gorgeous track features a radiant rubber-bridge guitar courtesy of Anthony DaCosta. Erlewine’s sweet vocals linger throughout a sunny tune that sets the focus on her immovable support for her daughter. Its empowering message may remind listeners of their relationships with their mothers or daughters or just about anyone with whom they throw their unwavering support behind.

Erlewine tells PopMatters, “I wrote this song for my daughter inspired by the Kahlil Gibran poem ‘On Children’. As a parent, we learn we cannot try to control the lives of our children but only support them. I wrote this as a reminder. My love is constant like the sun, or the mountains, or an ocean and constantly in support of her becoming.

“‘ Lion Heart’ was written for my daughter, but also the child within us all. It is a song of unconditional support, a reminder that love is bigger than any worldly pain. We all need to hear gentle, loving words of encouragement. We all deserve to be lifted up for who we are. This song is meant to offer these things to those in need.

“I wrote ‘Lion Heart’ after talking to my daughter about being bullied at school. My heart broke to hear her doubting herself, and I knew at that moment that my main job was to love her and empower her. We cannot save our children from experiencing the suffering of the world, no matter how deeply we would like to. All we can do is give them the support and the wisdom as they walk their own path. I told her there is always an option to be strong and loving at the same time.”