FaceThyFear Track of the Day: “This Side of Sober” by Jacob Bryant

Music, Recovery, and the Power of Soundtracks to Our Lives

Music has a way of cutting through the noise of everyday life and speaking directly to the soul. Whether it’s a song that takes you back to a painful moment or one that lifts you out of the darkness, music carries power. Today’s FaceThyFear Track of the Day is “This Side of Sober” by Jacob Bryant—a song that paints a raw and honest picture of addiction and the battle to stay on the right path.

This one was sent in by my buddy Hunter—a country man through and through. He’s from down here in Savannah, loves fishing and wrestling hogs, and, most importantly, he’s in recovery like me. Hunter told me this song resonated with him, and even though country music isn’t necessarily my go-to, I gave it a listen. And I’ll be real with you—it’s a powerful song.

If you’ve ever battled addiction, struggled with self-destruction, or just tried to outrun your past, you’ll feel the weight of this track.

Breaking Down the Song

Jacob Bryant isn’t just another country artist—he’s lived this life. He’s faced loss, battled addiction, and clawed his way toward something better. That experience bleeds through in “This Side of Sober.”

“It’s hard to outrun the devil when he’s sittin’ on your shoulders.”

That line hit me hard. I know exactly what it feels like to have that weight, that voice whispering, “Just one more time.” Addiction isn’t just about substances; it’s about the fight within yourself. You might be miles away from the bottle or the bag, but those demons don’t just disappear overnight.

Bryant captures that feeling perfectly—the pull between wanting to be better and the comfort of old vices. There’s a deep sadness in this song, but also a hard truth: staying sober isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

The Role of Music in Recovery

For me, music has always been more than just background noise. It’s a lifeline.

I’ve gone from blasting Redzed and Linkin Park when I needed to scream out my pain to listening to lo-fi and jazz when I need to slow my mind down. Every stage of my recovery has had a soundtrack to go with it.

Music can:

✔ Help process emotions – Sometimes, you don’t have the words, but a song does.

✔ Trigger memories and reflection – Both the good and the bad, but it helps us understand our journey.

✔ Be a coping tool – Instead of turning to old habits, you can lose yourself in a song.

✔ Build community – When someone else gets the lyrics the way you do, you know you’re not alone.

FaceThyFear Wants Your Tracks

I want to keep this going every day. Music has been a huge part of my journey, and I know it’s been part of yours too.

So, send me your song recommendations—ones that have helped you, changed you, or just speak to you in some way. Whether it’s hip-hop, rock, country, jazz, or metal, if it’s got meaning, I want to hear it.

📩 Submit your tracks to facethyfear@gmail.com (mailto:facethyfear@gmail.com)

I’ll feature one every day on the blog, breaking it down and exploring how music connects to recovery, mental health, and life itself.

Final Thoughts: Keep the Soundtrack Going

“This Side of Sober” may not be my usual style, but it speaks to a truth we all know: staying clean is a daily battle, but it’s worth every damn second.

If you’re struggling today, throw on a song that means something to you. Let the music remind you that you’re still here. Still fighting. Still winning.

And if you’ve got a song that’s kept you going, send it in.

Let’s keep the soundtrack playing.

🔗 www.Facethyfear.com (www.Facethyfear.com)

What’s your go-to song when you need strength? Drop it in the comments or send it in!