Content Warning: This release contains references to suicide, mental health struggles, and child sexual abuse.
As the calendar turns to September, marking the start of Suicide Awareness Month and the approach of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, The Lael Project, founded by Marla Mase, unveils a deeply moving tribute to the late New York soul-pop artist Lael Summer with a posthumous remix of her celebrated cover of Daryl Hall & Oates’ “Do What You Want, Be What You Are,” set for release on September 16, 2025. Paired with a double A-side single, “Make You Whole,” these tracks, produced by longtime collaborators Tomás Doncker and James Dellatacoma through True Groove Records, breathe new life into Summer’s soulful legacy. More than a musical endeavor, this release is a powerful call to action, harnessing Summer’s artistry to foster open conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, and the healing power of shared stories. With suicide ranking as the second leading cause of death for U.S. youth aged 12-18 and the leading cause for men under 50 in the UK, these songs resonate as both a celebration of Summer’s talent and a beacon of hope, embodying her lifelong mission: “If I can help just one person through my music, I’ve done my job.”
Originally released in 2013 as part of Summer’s debut album Burden to Bear, “Do What You Want, Be What You Are” captivated listeners and critics alike, earning praise from outlets like EarMilk, Big Takeover, Kings of A&R, and SoulTracks for its raw authenticity and Summer’s smoky, emotive vocals. The song, a blue-eyed soul anthem by Hall & Oates, was a perfect vehicle for Summer’s ability to channel personal struggles into universal truths. Doncker recalls its creation vividly: “We were at the kitchen table in her family’s TriBeCa loft, brainstorming for Burden to Bear. Lael had a rare gift for crafting lyrics that felt deeply personal yet widely relatable. We needed a classic soul cover, and this song spoke to her. She heard herself in its call to live authentically.” The remix, built from her original iPhone demo, enhances her stellar performance with modern production flourishes—crisp instrumentation and layered harmonies—while preserving the vulnerability that made critics dub her “The One To Watch.” Its release during Suicide Awareness Month amplifies its message, urging listeners to embrace their true selves and seek support without shame.
The companion single, “Make You Whole,” is a heart-wrenching letter to Summer’s friend W, whom she met at 13 in a Tucson treatment center in 2006, where Summer sought help for anorexia, depression, and suicidality. Written in 2013, the song reflects W’s trauma after uncovering sexual abuse by a family member, a revelation that triggered psychoses and deeply affected Summer. Marla Mase, reflecting on its layered meanings, shares, “Sometimes it feels like Lael’s singing about her own struggles or apologizing for the pain her loss caused us. But mostly, it’s her empathy for those carrying secrets and shame, her wish to ‘pick up the pieces’ and heal others.” Dedicated to survivors, including those silenced in high-profile cases like Jeffrey Epstein’s, Mase adds, “This is an anthem for all who feel unseen. We believe you, we stand with you. As voices are silenced and histories erased, we say no—we remember, we know.” The song’s release underscores a stark reality: studies show child sexual abuse triples the risk of suicide attempts, making its message a vital part of the conversation around mental health.
Lael Summer’s journey was one of brilliance and resilience, marked by both extraordinary talent and profound struggles. Born in New York City, she was singing The Sound of Music at age two, her voice a natural gift that led her to LaGuardia High School (the “Fame” school) and later to a Bachelor of Music from USC’s Thornton School of Music. Her two albums, Burden to Bear (2013) and Life in Color (2015), released on True Groove Records, blended soul, pop, and R&B, weaving her battles with depression and an eating disorder into anthems of hope and survival. Her smoky vocals and ability to transform personal pain into universal stories set her apart, earning her a devoted following and critical acclaim. Beyond music, Summer’s empathy shone in her work at a Los Angeles treatment center, where her lived experience made her a lifeline for clients, and in her co-authored play The Pill, staged at La MaMa Theatre in 2018, which tackled mental illness with unflinching honesty.
Tragically, Summer’s life was cut short in 2017 when she died by suicide at 24, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Her guiding belief—“If I can help just one person through my music, I’ve done my job”—is the cornerstone of The Lael Project, launched by Mase in 2024 to honor her daughter’s life and mission. Through music, theater, community engagement, and partnerships with organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the project fosters open dialogue about mental health, offering resources and hope. Mase, a writer and artist, emphasizes the power of storytelling: “By sharing Lael’s story—our story, because mental illness is a family disease—we hope to inspire others to speak without shame. There are billions ready to listen and connect, paving a path toward healing.” The project’s work aligns with global efforts to address suicide, which claims a life every 11 minutes in the U.S., with youth and men particularly vulnerable.
The timing of these releases is profoundly significant. September’s Suicide Awareness Month, and specifically World Suicide Prevention Day, holds special meaning for Mase, who believes prevention is possible through compassion and community. The Lael Project’s mission extends beyond music, using Summer’s art to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and to support survivors of trauma. “Make You Whole,” in particular, resonates as a tribute to those harboring pain, with Mase dedicating it to “all who are silenced, hurt, and shamed,” including survivors of systemic abuse. The song’s release during a time when powerful forces seek to suppress such voices feels like a defiant act of remembrance and solidarity, amplifying Summer’s empathy for a world in pain.
Musically, both tracks showcase Summer’s ability to blend soulful depth with contemporary relevance. The remix of “Do What You Want, Be What You Are” elevates her original performance with Doncker and Dellatacoma’s production, adding lush textures while retaining the song’s emotional core—a call to live authentically, free from societal pressures. “Make You Whole” pairs Summer’s tender vocals with understated instrumentation, creating a space for reflection and healing. Together, they form a double A-side that captures the duality of Summer’s artistry: vibrant yet introspective, hopeful yet raw. Available on all streaming platforms, these singles invite listeners to connect with Summer’s voice and message, whether they’re grappling with personal struggles or seeking to support others.
The Lael Project’s efforts extend beyond these releases, with plans for community events, mental health workshops, and further musical tributes to keep Summer’s legacy alive. By sharing her story, Mase hopes to inspire others to open up, seek help, and find strength in vulnerability. Resources like the 988 Lifeline and NAMI’s HelpLine are highlighted as lifelines, reinforcing that no one is alone. As Summer’s music echoes through these tracks, her compassion and courage continue to light the way, proving that even in loss, art can transform pain into hope, urging listeners to live true, love fiercely, and hold space for healing in a world that desperately needs it.
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