Primarily a songwriter before "Issues" took off, Julia Michaels collaborated with artists such as Justin Bieber, Gwen Stefani and Selena Gomez, and notably, with Linkin Park on "Heavy," the first single from their 2017 album, One More Light.
"Heavy" thrilled fans' established tastes with its radio-friendly pop cheerfulness. But the conflicts the lyrics describe are unflinching — sometimes letting go is the path to life and survival when issues are too "Heavy" to carry.
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In retrospect, considering Chester Bennington's death on July 20, Michaels looks back on that songwriting collaboration with new eyes.
"It's really strange that these circumstances have happened. I have a really hard time listening to the song now because of it," said Michaels, whose unique depiction of conflicted inner states has made "Issues" one of this summer's top hits.
To honor Bennington's death, Linkin Park created a tribute page for fans, and many have been challenged by the tragic end of this heroic voice, which expressed pain, rage and the infinite with a truth that helped millions fight through their own struggles.
Like the rest of his fans, Michaels remember Bennington as warm and funny.
Bennington "came in and was really funny and really warm, and had the biggest smile on his face," Michaels told Billboard. "They were so excited about putting out new music, and just so happy and just so lovely."
