Texas-based songbird Alesia Lani follows up her latest album Self Titled with the release today of the music video for standout track Lean Into You. Her music – a beautiful blend of hip-hop, soul, R&B, and trap into one – is the perfect playlist addition for fans of Ari Lennox, Janelle Monáe, Rina Sawayama, and Erykah Badu. With recent accomplishments such as Top Ten Best Female Vocalists from the Austin Music Awards, as well as 2023 Official SXSW Artist, this latest addition reinforces why those titles are so well deserved.
Situated on her recent Self Titled album, her most personal and introspective album in her repertoire so far, the Lean Into You song opened as the album’s first love song, and the newly accompanying video only enhances the listening experience. It opens on images of paintings and candles, creating a warm and eye-catching atmosphere fitting for the highlight song. Alesia is introduced to us first in a black sombrero finished with red leather tassels, marrying the Bossa Nova sound. We are then drawn into the intimate portrayal of a couple clearly in love, as the lyrics themselves perfectly explain the picture visualised by the two: “You got me so vulnerable, and I like it.”
The couple are featured in different shots, together and individually; individually, Alesia is adorned with all the thrills, tassel-lined sombrero, dressed to the nines, whereas with him, she embraces the simplicity and desire of another. The video shows the couple at their stripped-back, unembellished centre, entirely vulnerable and naked, yet strikingly genuine and beautiful. Alesia Lani excels in becoming the honest face of simple, beautiful, and bare love in this video, without losing that fire of passion. It also pays tribute to inspiration from Lauryn Hill and Khruangbin, featuring vinyl records of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Mordechai in one of the final shots, honouring another type of love and appreciation.
Alesia Lani’s allure is no secret, having already made waves with her strong stage presence, powerful yet sultry voice, and masterful songwriting. She has already garnered well-deserved attention from critics and fans alike, having two of her singles featured on VH1’s Caught in the Act: Unfaithful, and being featured with a KUTX 2022 Black History Month Profile. Her impressive resume is endless, including sharing stages with legends such as George Clinton, Guns N’ Roses, Lizzo, Meghan Thee Stallion, Childish Gambino and Billie Eilish, and performing at SXSW, Toronto’s Indie Week Fest, Austin City Limits, & Jai Thep. Needless to say, we can’t wait to see what the future brings us from Alesia Lani.