Welcome back to the fold, everyone.  If you’ve been hanging out in this corner of the internet for a while, you already know I’ve been low-key obsessed with Michellar. From the dark, gritty pulse of ‘He’s a Killer’ to the soul-searching depths of ‘Truth Over Lies’ (shoutout to that Frankie El collab) and the raw, haunting tension of ‘Crossed,’ her discography has essentially become the soundtrack to my daily life. She is, in the truest sense, “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” Well, the wait is officially over. On January 2nd, Michellar finally gifted us her new album: “Reverie… From Then Till Now.” This isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a homecoming. The album opens with a guitar and piano melody so delicate and arresting that it forces you to stop in your tracks—a sweet, lingering taste of the emotional journey that follows. At its heart, the record explores the “in-between” moments of life. Take “We Both Can Fall,” a track that feels like an intimate confession close to Michellar’s soul. It dives into the glass-brittle fragility of a relationship at the crossroads, that agonizing space where you’re trying to rebuild a connection while simultaneously wanting to run before you completely break one another. But it’s not all heartache. There’s a beautiful thread of mindfulness running through the production. The music encourages us to treat every second like the gift it is, finding quiet pleasure in the small things in nature, a breath, a moment of stillness. It’s a call to embrace our jagged edges and imperfections as we aspire to grow. Michellar’s journey from her folk roots (influenced by legends like James Taylor and Carole King) to her years in landscape design, and finally back to her July 2023 songwriting spark, is all right here. Allow me to dissect this masterpiece for you all.

 The first song on the album is called “It’s Another Year”. The beginning starts with a marked and sparse acoustic and ticking clock, which is irresistible, and a guitar pattern that sounds like a deep breath of relief. The theme of the song is about a profound passage about the power of time, as the realization hits the protagonist that there is only “now” in life. It’s about living in the moment and the inescapable power of time. The song choice can be described as Minimalist folk. The singer’s soprano voice takes center stage in this minimalist song, and the instrumentation allows the song to shine. This song places the listener in a mindset, mindfulness, and the truthfulness, an understanding that this is not a “hook” album, but one of the heart.

The second song on the album is “Running Wild”, featuring Harrison Black. An energetic and rhythmic pace begins at once, simulating tire sounds on asphalt. It is country-infused and completely gorgeous to listen to. When it comes to the theme, the song is about the excitement of rediscovering one’s freedom and the nerve required for a “life reboot.” It is that breath of fresh air you feel and breathe in when you feel stuck or trapped in a particular situation. The two artists come together, and their music incorporates elements of folk rock and country with the Americana genre. Their harmonies, particularly the interaction with Harrison Black, deliver a beautiful melody. The listeners will get a rush of “kinetic energy—a ‘window-down’ anthem for those starting fresh.

The third song on the album is called “Intersection (with Tobias Wilson). The song opens with a surreal infusion of keyboard textures with a staccato, almost nervy, banjo pick. In this song, our characters are so in love that they don’t seem to care about things around them. It is the thrill of the honeymoon phase in relationships. Musically, it is a very bold mix of folk and experimental elements. In fact, it is the most experimental piece on the album. It surprised me and will surprise the listeners by proving Michellar isn’t afraid of being “gritty” and complex collaborations or a complex mix of music genres.

At number four, we have the song “Promise”. The song opens with Piano chords with the gentle quality of a late-night secret shared in the dark. The song is about starting a relationship that is guaranteed to fail, but the people involved start the relationship anyway. This is a gentle ballad that expresses ‘hopeful nostalgia’ and embraces traditional singer-songwriter pop. This song is  the emotional centerpiece of the album, one which will no doubt leave fans pondering their own “what ifs.”

“September”  featuring Helen Walford. The song has a gentle, building introduction that features ethereal vocalizations, with minimal percussion. Thematically, the song is about the changing of seasons as a symbol of growth, the inevitability of change, and letting go of sadness. Musically, Folk-pop with a strong emphasis on vocal harmony. There is a “wall of warmth” created by the background vocals of Helen Walford.  It creates a sensation of peace, as a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon feels, or drinking a warm drink by the fireplace.

“We Both Can Fall (feat. Gracie Lou) is the next song on this record. Now, this song I am familiar with. The song opens with a delicate interplay of guitar and piano—a melody so arresting it forces the world to go quiet around you. It’s a bittersweet invitation, a soft-spoken promise of the emotional depth that’s about to unfold. At its core, “We both can fall” is an intimate confession. Michellar pulls from a place deep within to explore the fragile glass of a strained relationship. It captures that breathless, agonizing middle ground: the moment where you are suspended between the urge to stay and rebuild, and the instinct to run before you completely break one another. It is a song for those standing at the crossroads, choosing to fight for a connection rather than watching it turn to ash. The synergy between Tobias and Michelle is palpable here. By weaving together their unique lyrical perspectives and melodic instincts, they’ve created more than just a single; they’ve captured a heartbeat. It’s a testament to their shared mission: creating music that doesn’t just reach the earsis  but speaks directly to the soul.

“Never Say Sorry” is the next song on the album. This another song by Michellar that  I’m familiar with. The track begins with a conversation between guitar and piano, a melody so arresting it forces the world to pause. It is a sweet, lingering introduction that doesn’t just start the song; it sets the stage for a journey that promises to be as incredible as its first few notes. At the center of “We Both Can Fall” lies a narrative pulled straight from the heart. Michellar explores the glass-brittle fragility of a relationship under pressure, capturing that agonizing “in-between” where many of us have stood. It’s a story of two people balanced on a razor’s edge: on one side, the desperate urge to bridge the gap and rebuild; on the other, the instinct to walk away before the wreckage becomes absolute. The production is a masterclass in collaboration. Tobias and Michelle have woven their lyrical and melodic instincts into a single that feels less like a recording and more like a confession. Their synergy resonates with a rare authenticity, proving their dedication to music that does more than just fill a room; it speaks directly to the soul.

The eighth song is titled “The Letter”. This begins right in with a neighborhood, organic, “circle” type of vibe, almost as if recorded in the field, before expanding into a full-fledged soft melody. Thematically, the song is about a character who has found a letter that someone he or she loved wrote before he or she died. This character is overwhelmed and cries longingly for the person that he or she has lost. Musically, the song begins with simple storytelling and grows into a full-blown narrative folk song. There is a huge personal touch, as if Micheller is referring to her own journal, which will let listeners feel like they know her personally.

The song that follows is called “Reverie. Relaxed. The song opens with a beautiful melody. Beyond the struggle of the heart, the song serves as a gentle reminder to simply be. It’s an anthem for the present, urging us to treat every flickering second like the gift it truly is. There is a quiet magic found in the small things—the rustle of leaves, a shared glance, the raw beauty of nature—and the music invites us to slow down and notice. It’s a call to embrace our own jagged edges and imperfections, reminding us that growth doesn’t come from being perfect, but from the courage to keep evolving. The vocal delivery is “gliding” over a rhythmic pocket that sounds enchanting. It will leave listeners with a smile on their face, and it gives them a “moment of unadulterated bliss and joyful happiness.

Next up is “Get me there to Church (feat. Harrison Black & Helen Walford). The song opens with A beautiful melody that features a lovely banjo. The song is about a persona who longs for Spiritual grounding, communion , and the quest for a place of retreat, whether in a building or in people. The song is quite folky, heavy on three-part harmony. It is a shared breath that reinforces the theme of connection and faith.

“Conquer all with Love (feat. Harrison Black & Christina Rntd)”. The song starts with a bright, major key guitar strumming pattern that is akin to the sensation of sunlight filtering through clouded skies. The power of love as a mechanism for healing from past experiences. Musically, this song is Upbeat and anthem-like, having the “collective triumph” feel. It is a rallying cry that inspires a listener to lead with his or her heart.

“The Star” is the last song on the album. The song starts with Soft, festive acoustic instrumentation playing a melodic line that evokes the honest innocence of Dan Fogelberg’s melodies. The Gratitude and the “light” at the end of a long journey. This song should be a seasonal and reflective ending, emphasizing melody. This ends the album on a note of complete peacefulness, as the listener is left in a condition of quiet, hopeful contemplation.

REVERIE is more than an album; it is the harvest of a life lived in layers. Michellar’s sound is rooted in the warmth of a music-filled childhood, echoing the timeless folk traditions of James Taylor, Carole King, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. These weren’t just influences; they were the foundation of her musical DNA. After stepping away from the microphone to build a career in landscape design, shaping the earth instead of melodies, a sudden spark in July 2023 changed everything. It was a pivotal moment of rediscovery, a realization that her song hadn’t ended; it had simply been waiting for the right season to bloom. Each track on the album acts as a milestone in her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. REVERIE is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the quiet power of a voice found again after years of silence. Through this collection, Michellar invites you into a world of intimate storytelling, proving that it is never too late to return to who you were always meant to be. I cannot wait to work with my favorite and most talented artist  , Michellar, for she’s brilliant!!!

Stream the “Reverie..From then till now” album on Spotify or SoundCloud

Follow Michellar on here and their socials: Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp.