Cameron Mae’s “Panic Attack” brings compassion where it’s needed

“Panic Attack,” is an acoustic-driven indie pop song by Annapolis-based singer-songwriter Cameron Mae. In three verses, “Panic Attack” makes a compassionate and compelling case for responding to the onset of anxiety with care rather than judgment.

The track opens with Cameron’s acoustic guitars in stereo — one strumming light chords, while the other plays chunky palm-muted chords in the bass register. The stripped down intro draws the listener into the lyrics and the intimate nature of the song's subject matter. As the song progresses, it builds with instruments and textures, allowing the acoustic guitar to be fortified with drums and electric guitar, effectively guiding the listener through the emotional journey of the song. The vocal performance, instrumentation, arrangement and production on this track are top-notch.

Lyrically, anyone who has experienced a panic attack will immediately connect with this song’s poignant portrayal of what it’s like to live with an anxiety disorder and experience panic attacks. Any panic attack can be a debilitating experience that can make even the simplest tasks in life feel impossible, drawing out both the best and worst in people. The first verse describes having a panic attack in the middle of the road, dealing with the road rage it triggers, and the helplessness that follows. The narrator introduces scenarios where a panic attack can strike without warning and laments the inability to complete even mundane tasks without the fear of collapse.

 The final verse offers a moral counterpoint to the road-raging onlookers in verse one, highlighting the compassion of a bystander who takes the time to check in with the narrator during a panic attack, showing care rather than judgment. The song concludes with a powerful closing line: “because she cares, and people should care more.”

“Panic Attack” was released on November 22, 2025.