Since the drop of electro jazz-pop princess Mikhaela Faye’s first single, “Body”, I’ve been thoroughly convinced that she can do no musical wrong. Her latest single and accompanying visualiser “Breathe Into My Blue” proves me right.
Opening on Faye in her bedroom, the deep blue low lightning immediately sets a sensuous tone, while the production subtly bends the pitch and eases you into the first line: “Love me with your third eye/ Down my neck”.
The arrangement is sparse, leaving an incredible amount of room for Faye’s vocals to draw you into what feels like a private moment between you and her. There is absolutely nowhere for Faye’s voice to hide behind, further emphasizing the vulnerability of this moment, both visually and audibly.
“‘Breathe Into My Blue’ expresses the desire for that moment within yourself. It is a song about intimacy and relinquishing physical and emotional control with someone you feel safe with,” Faye explains thoughtfully.
There’s a moment of complete silence, just long enough for you to catch your breath, and instead of dropping into a bass-driven chorus which, I admit, I assumed would happen, Faye keeps the energy low as a whisper as she croons, “Fold me into you”, sustaining the simple melody with the kind of tenderness that requires complete vocal control. There’s an intensity to this quiet chorus, like pillow talk with someone from whom you have nothing to hide.
Hues of red, blue, yellow, white, and purple lights dance across the room, across Faye’s face, as she moves to the music, completely comfortable in revealing a personal moment. The song builds into a climax, placing her vocals further back in the arrangement as warmer chords elevate the song into a heavenly realm. A flanger-like effect, along with arpeggiated harp sounds create the illusion of spinning, rising, and writhing in reverie.
Alongside Greg Abrahams (producer, and former band member) and Mike Zietsman (mastering engineer, PHFat), Faye has crafted another masterpiece. Directed by Hana Jayne Sho, and produced by Sho, Faye, Christine Hadjieva, the video perfectly captures a moment of complete surrender with someone you trust.
