Whether we’re children or adults, we know that feeling when we’ve stared blankly at the night sky, imaging worlds just beyond our reach. In an isolating feeling to be sure, what that makes us so painfully aware of our loneliness, but there’s an even greater beauty to be had when you look to the stars with someone you love. That seems to be the focal point of Marla Lewis’ latest single “Blue Horizon.”
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MarlaTheMuse
The New Jersey-born singer/songwriter has held a long appreciation for music citing her love for Fitzgerald, The Beatles, and Carole King to name a few. She has a knack for storytelling and I’m sure that’s also thanks to her work as an acclaimed children’s singer. Having done a few award-winning albums, this single from the forthcoming album SONGBOOK (which early buzz has described as “pure bliss”), finds Lewis in a more introspective state. You feel the weight of her voice as she sings “Wanna fly up to the blue Horizon?” and from there the imagery dissolves into beautiful cosmic anomalies of watching the world and the cities melt away, the fear many have at taking a leap so daring. Lewis has this almost playful spirit about her performance, like she’s a temptress, not in a lustful way, but like an imp-like Puck from A Midsummer’s Night Dream. There’s a real upbeat sincerity that compliments the uncertainty that the lyrics spout. All of this is boosted thanks to the outstanding work of the backing band that Lewis and producer/engineer/Grammy winner Bob Stander.
The elegance on display from the moment the track starts off with its drum liftoff alongside the Tamborine that almost acts as the stars twinkling in the night sky immediately set the tone perfectly, and that’s even before the incredibly smooth playing of the guitar work kicks in. I wouldn’t describe the energy as everyone bouncing off one another as they are working in this harmony that becomes deeply intoxicating. Even when there are dips into the minor key with sounds and lyrics like “It’s not easy. You might feel queasy, but trust me you’ll be all right” I think best exemplifies the power of the song. It’s a dream and even as the song fades away working alongside the backing chorus all singing “Wanna fly”, you get that urge building up to take a chance on something you’ve always wanted whether it’s a person or maybe even a trip into parts unknown.
This is a fanciful song made by dreamers and lovers, for other dreamers and lovers. If you’re not already familiar with Lewis, I highly recommend dipping into her back catalog, and if you have kids, maybe introduce them to her celebrated work in that genre. Lewis ultimately reminds us that there are things in this universe bigger than us, and sometimes we’re truly lucky enough to experience. All it takes is the jump to actually feel those things, and if we’re lucky we’ll have someone alongside us the whole way through.
Claire Uebelacker
The music of Marla Lewis has been heard all over the world in partnership with the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Radio Promotions Division. Learn more https://musikandfilm.com