Los Angeles-based alternative pop musician R e l debuts her new single, Intuition, alongside a music video sure to impress. The track undoubtedly is about healing and self-discovery, as she tells us that her intuition is a burden, “a dull ache,” as the vocals begin to breathe life into the song. Poignant lyrics track this journey, from “this is unbearable” to “this will be bearable,” promising the strength that lies in sensitivity.
In the accompanying music video, R e l takes on the persona of a Pierrot, literalising the mask against the world to conceal this true sense of self. Against a traditional curtain backdrop marrying this performance symbolism, wearing varying different masks, she portrays the burden of these personas through marionette-like movements, as if manipulated by unseen forces. With each scene, she gradually sheds these layers, stripping away the elaborate costume, neck ruffle, and makeup to reveal vulnerability and raw emotion.
Against a changing backdrop of colours, the removal of her mask is marked by a change in key in the song as well, from sombre low notes to secure and soaring high notes, mirroring the song’s emotional depth on a technical level. As the video unfolds, she sheds her costume and mask, revealing a newfound freedom and inner strength. The visual journey in this stunning music video perfectly captures the song’s message – that by embracing our true selves and relinquishing the masks we wear; we unearth this resilience and inner strength.
R e l, the artist alias of singer-songwriter Arielle Sitrick, pioneers a genre she has established as ‘evocapop,’ the shortened version of evocative pop. As established by her successful Kickstarter-funded self-titled debut album, R e l has won over fans across the globe already. With over twenty million streams, the artist’s success was tracked when her track Night City featured in the video game Cyberpunk 2077. From performances at renowned venues like The Echo and enchanting audiences at Rockwood Music Hall, she has established a devoted following, earning over twelve million Spotify streams and six million YouTube views as an independent artist. On track to become a star, R e l shows no sign of stopping, currently immersed in the creation of their upcoming album, Evocapop Side B. We’re excited to hear the evolution of her distinctive art pop signature style, with Intuition being one of many positive notes for the upcoming album.