PREMIERE: MAIAH WYNNE’S SMILE-INDUCING “DRIVE ME MAD” IS A RAY OF FOLK-POP SUNSHINE
by Mitch Mosk
A smile-inducing ray of folk-pop sunshine, Maiah Wynne’s “Drive Me Mad” is a dazzling love song for the hopeless romantic in all of us.
We can’t help but smile, dance, and sing along to Maiah Wynne’s latest single.
Love is everywhere on “Drive Me Mad“: From the sweetly stirring vocals and gentle, rolling banjo melodies, to the heartwarming display of intimacy and oodles of baby goats prancing throughout the song’s music video, Wynne’s second release of the year is like unfiltered sunlight: Endlessly bright, unavoidably uplifting, and utterly disarming. A smile-inducing ray of folk-pop sunshine, “Drive Me Mad” is a dazzling love song for the hopeless romantic in all of us.
Oh my, I’ve been waiting
for the day you walk on by
And oh my, I’ve been hoping
for the day you change your mind
Because you, you, you
You drive me mad
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering the music and video for “Drive Me Mad,” Maiah Wynne’s second song of the year and the latest single taken off her forthcoming debut solo album, Out of the Dark (independently out November 17, 2023).
An award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, and producer based in Washington state, Wynne is perhaps best known as the vocalist for Canadian-American rock band Envy of None, whose notable members include legendary Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and Coney Hatch bassist Andy Curran. The band released their self-titled debut album – a cinematic alternative enchantment – in 2022.
Wynne’s vocals admittedly shine no matter the context, genre, or style of music, but there’s something extra special about her performance in “Drive Me Mad.” Following August’s moody and moving album lead single “Come On,” Wynne’s newer release feels like a deep breath of fresh air: It’s warm and wondrous, unapologetically happy and effortlessly radiant: An intoxicating embrace of love-soaked euphoria.
Oh my, I’ve been wanting
for the day I can call you mine
And oh my, I’ve been waiting
for the sun to shine
Because you, you, you
You drive me mad
“‘Drive Me Mad’ is musical sunshine,” Wynne tells Atwood Magazine. “I wrote this song about three years ago on the banjo and it’s always made me feel that same giddiness of falling in love. I wanted to bring some lightness and fun to the record, and this song was the perfect way to do that.”
Directed by Wynne and starring herself alongside love interest Jenny Affan, the “Drive Me Mad” music video depicts one of the cutest dates we’ve ever seen.
“We filmed the music video at a goat farm near Portland, and it was honestly one of the best days of my life,” she smiles. “We frolicked with over 100 goats, and we held the tiniest little baby goats. I was inspired watching Heartstopper, and I decided to add my own hand-drawn butterfly animations at the beginning and end to add that little extra bit of magic. Overall, it was a really fun day, and I hope the video and song will spread a little bit of warmth and happiness as we near the end of the warmer season.”
Even when the sun don’t shine
I know I will be alright
When I see you smile
Because you, you, you
You drive me mad
A definitive standout in Maiah Wynne’s burgeoning catalog, “Drive Me Mad” is the undeniable high point off a debut album that runs the gamut in both emotion and experience.
“This album touches on themes of failure and triumph, joy and sadness, pain and growth, and hope,” Wynne says of Out of the Dark. “I wrote some of these songs at just 16 years old, and others I wrote this year at age 26. I’ve written hundreds of songs, but these ones all have important meaning to me and are connected to my journey over the last decade. I’ve been through so much, and I’m finally finding my way out of the dark, and I hope that this music can help others finding their way out too.”
Stream “Drive Me Mad” exclusively on Atwood Magazine and get lost in the lovestruck beauty and seductive cheer of this soaring, soul-stirring, and smile-inducing song. We promise you’ll be singing along in no time.
Out of the Dark is out everywhere November 17, 2023!