Michellar brings out “SEPTEMBER”

Michellar conveys emotion with striking intimacy in their latest single September. Based in San Francisco, Michellar creates a work that feels both embedded in age-old folk traditions while also appealing to a contemporary audience. The record has an unhurried pacing that reflects the slow transition from summer into fall, giving the listener the opportunity to soak in all of the feelings and textures it evokes. This single was recorded in San Francisco, and then finalized in Staffordshire, UK with producer Tobias Wilson, illustrating the powerful impact of cross-continental collaboration through this shared work. What can result is a sound that is polished yet organic; all of elements feel deliberate, yet never lose their rawness. Guest vocalist Helen Walford provides an emotional layer to the track. Her emotive vocal lines provides a delicate counter-weight to Michellar's own vocal performance, but when blended together, creates has an inner weight and prominence; allowing the more complex emotional layers to create space for a transition, which is the central theme of the song.

September encompasses simplicity. Its acoustic foundation provides the grounding for all that happens after. The arrangement is uncluttered - simplicity of tone, a couple of carefully placed layers, and that's all that is used to create the atmosphere in which the song exists. To this end, the clarity and directness we have chosen to employ, keeps the music, lyric, and vocal, all at the forefront without distraction to lure and invite the listener to the story. Folk tradition has been embraced, singer/songwriters such as James Taylor, Joni Mitchell clearly come to mind, but Michellar's intention avoids nostalgia. This is not imitation, instead the song stands firmly in the present, claiming the influence of tradition without having to repeat it. The lyrics touch on change, continuity and introspection. The writing appears unvarnished without appearing basic and accessible without being superficial. There are no indulgent metaphors, questioning syntax, rather it communicates directly, without drama, honest, but with quietly achieved resonance. The inherently deliberate nature of the lyrics reflects the deliberate nature of the production process - considering each sound - each layer - of sound, getting the right balance to make things clear and for it to mean something.

In addition to the single, Michellar's career expands into multiple disciplines. Their upcoming art exhibitions and live performances throughout the fall demonstrate a thoughtful creative vision that transcends music. Michellar's unique ability to consolidate art forms enables them to be a musician, but also being part of the necessary cultural dialogue at the time. September is a song that succeeds by achieving balance: balance of tradition and modernity, simplicity and nuance, introspection and universal appeal. September is a work that showcases considered craft, whilst sounding effortless, leaving the listener space to enter the sonic world Michellar creates. For followers of Michellar, it continues a steady trajectory of artistry, whilst for new listeners, it serves as an engaging entry point to examine their emerging oeuvre, which is sure to be rewarding. In either case, September will linger longer than it's final note, which I think is fitting, for it has the name of a season.