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Do You Have Depression or Is the New Jenny Lewis Just Reminding You of Your 20s?

Spring is here! And just like me, I’m sure you’re excited for the end of seasonal depression and the beginning of regular depression! However, iconic indie singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis just released On The Line, her first album in five years, which may be distorting the source of your ennui. Here’s a helpful guide to find out if you have depression or if Jenny’s new album is just making you nostalgic for your twenties.

We consulted with depression expert and indie rock fanboy Dr. Liam Christopoulos who is uniquely skilled in this very specific differential diagnosis:

“Americans are already experiencing depression at an unprecedented rate. If you’re experiencing lethargy, flat affect, and a lack of interest in things that used to give you pleasure, you may have clinical depression. If you’re experiencing those symptoms directly after hearing lyrics like, ‘I was a girl in a black Corvette/Getting head in the shadows’ and longing for a time when you used to do things worth singing about, you may simply be listening to Jenny Lewis and feeling jealous of your own past.”

Thanks, Dr. C!

Christopoulos urges readers to remember that despite how Lewis’ music makes them feel, they have not wasted their youth (“doo-doo-doo-doo-doo”). He stresses that it is possible for things to get better as you age. For example, the maturity and introspection displayed in On The Line makes it Lewis’ best album to date, so there is hope. Another recommended coping strategy is to remember that your 20s probably weren’t as cool as you think they were.

If you have depression and feel that you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is a free, 24-hour hotline, at 1.800.273.TALK (8255). But if you find that Lewis’ crystalline melodies are driving you to reclaim your youth, please refrain from cutting your own bangs and schedule a consultation with a professional hair stylist who will tell you that your face shape will not support that silhouette.