For decades, whiskey has traditionally been a crutch for country songs in solving their problems. For many reasons, it often has just as many shortcomings as helpful benefits and “Medicine” by Adonys Fallz accepts and acknowledges this premise with a different question: What do you do to make it through the night when life is getting to be more than you can handle?
“Medicine” plops Fallz into a very familiar, cliché country scenario of long nights, drinks, pressure and a host of unspoken words before letting the song gallop to the tune of hip-hop swagger. While there’s certainly no ground being broken by mixing whiskey and heartbreak, Fallz makes it more about reality.
This track is inherently about the factors lying behind the bottle itself. The song talks about the relentless chase for achievement alongside immense pressure, responsibility and the inevitable sacrifices that accompany it. In turn, “Medicine” does less as a cure and more as an “escape.” Life presents us with circumstances when we just need to sit down, share a drink and attempt to forget tomorrow still has plenty waiting for you.
This story structure gives “Medicine” its center of relatability. Fallz has a knack for writing a conversation, not a declaration, about battling against adversity. That focus allows the music to move away from the classic idea of inspirational anthems and motivational quotes, which life isn’t all about anyway! Life gets confusing and messy and “Medicine” is about keeping on pushing despite that fact.
The hook is what makes the entire idea stick so well. The concept of “Medicine,” although generic, is unique because Fallz uses it to string together ideas of escape, celebration and survival into one cohesive idea: Whether you had a brutal day or an absolute triumph, in both circumstances, it’s perfectly acceptable to reach for and celebrate life however you see fit.
The storytelling is purely country; however, the lyrics combine that with some very soulful and rhythmic sounds which are capable of achieving the success artists have been reaching as of late with crossovers like Post Malone, Shaboozey and Jelly Roll.
Most important of all, Fallz knows not to pretend this life isn’t difficult. The song doesn’t promise a simple fix; rather, the track embodies the fact that sometimes our “medicine” is anything we choose to embrace while we continue pushing; maybe it is music, or a drink; maybe it’s simply an extended driving experience; all that matters is that we find what it is and stay pushing.
For Fallz, music happens to be that medicine and, in turn, “Medicine” serves as a worthy justification to continue creating more.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for various publications around the world, the former lead writer of review blogspace Atop The Treehouse and content creator for Manila Bulletin.
