Would you say Mother Mother is playing make-believe or making a belief? You might call that semantics.
From the first note, there’s a palpable tension in “Make Believe.” The rhythmic pattern of the song’s main motif is like a gentle push and pull. It nudges you off balance just enough to keep you on your toes, yet its repetition wraps you in a comforting familiarity. It’s addictive.
“Make Believe” digs into a theme many of us can relate to: the desire to escape reality. The song takes us into the world of self-deception, where pretending everything is fine becomes a way of avoiding harsh truths. It’s a perfect example of how we convince ourselves of an edited version of reality. One that’s simpler, more comfortable, and easier to handle, even if that means living in a lie.
This song is not only about lying to yourself, but also about losing touch with what you truly believe. It’s as if you’ve lied for so long that you no longer know what’s real. Or perhaps you only know what you don’t believe, leaving you uncertain about what you actually do.
Ryan Guldemond’s vocals are a standout element. His voice is both vulnerable and intense, even desperate at times, echoing the inner conflict of avoiding the truth while knowing you can’t hide from it forever. Molly Guldemond’s harmonies add an extra layer of depth, giving the song a haunting, ethereal feel that perfectly complements the lyrical themes.
At its heart, “Make Believe” is about the tension between illusion and truth. It’s about how we sometimes hide behind a version of events that feels safer, even when it’s not the truth. And yet, as much as we try to “make believe,” the truth always has a way of catching up with us.
Mother Mother’s “Make Believe” is a beautiful exploration of emotional avoidance, and it’s one of those songs that sticks with you long after it ends. The band captures the feeling of pretending and emotional conflict so well, reminding us that while we may try to escape reality, it’s always there, waiting to be faced. In the end, “Make Believe” is a powerful reminder that there’s no escaping the truth, no matter how hard we try to ignore it.
Written by Alana Black | Evolution Media
Contact: ablack23@my.bcit.ca