From the opening mournful piano and weeping steel guitar, you feel the weight behind McDaniel’s gravelly baritone. When he sings,
> “Hurtin’ so loud but they don’t make a sound,”
you hear a voice not just telling his story—but speaking for those standing in shadows, waiting to be seen.
Co-written with Chris LaCorte and Josh Miller, the song forms the emotional backbone of an album rooted in McDaniel’s life—from losing his father to addiction to wrestling with depression—but tempered by resilience and catharsis[1]. Produced by Lindsay Rimes, it’s a sparse, haunting country-rock confessional.
The music video, directed by Robby Stevens, mirrors the song’s message: woodland landscapes, a man struggling to light a flame, and handwritten words plastered over confessions like “Lost, Broken, + Addicted.” It ends on dawn’s first light, as McDaniel asks gently, “Hey man, you need a light?” and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline appears on screen—an authentic reach-out disguised as art[2].
Final Verdict:
“Lost Ones” transcends music—it’s a lifeline. Chase McDaniel strips away the noise to deliver a raw, intimate message: you’re not alone. If you’ve ever felt unseen or unheard, this song is your mirror, your moment, your moment to breathe.
Sources:
- Big Machine Label Group — Album announcement, personal backstory, Sept 19 release, co-writing details.
- The Music Universe & Big Machine video press release — Video breakdown, visual imagery, and mention of 988 helpline.
