As we head deeper into the winter months, our thoughts become more nostalgic and our hopes more wistful. With this cerebral context in mind, the whimsical notes of Shana Sarett‘s new single ‘Minnesota’ seamlessly slip into our current thoughts patterns. Existing between apparently oppositional states as a classically-trained opera singer and full time DJ, the Los Angeles based creative crafts a sonic realm that transcends expectations.
Opening with an otherworldly and distanced synth key melody, this intriguing atmosphere behind to emerge from the haze, led by Sarett‘s placid vocal tones. She mysteriously sings, “walk out late at night overcome by desire for a thing of the past, life’s moving fast without you around.” It’s an evocative stream-of-consciousness style that transports listeners directly into the introspective mindset of this expansive songwriter. As the song progresses, an array of unconventional elements into play, such as vintage drum machines and rhythmic vocal loops. The organic feel despite the liberal use of electronica, reflects Chris McLaughlin‘s impressive production finesse.
A great sense of anticipation builds up into the vibrant chorus where richly layered vocals beckon an idea forth… “if we make it past Minnesota, we’ll never forget where we’re bound.” This symbolic vision conveys the promise of the unknown, being that Shana Sarett has never visited Minnesota, and yet it came to her in a dream.
As the musician explains, “Minnesota quite literally came to me in a dream, I woke up in a cold sweat and recorded a sleepy voice memo of the entire song in one take. Minnesota is a city I’ve never been to, it represents any ideal that we’ve yet to reach in life, and the possibilities that lie therein. The song deals a lot with the mundane vs. the fantastic. Minnesota in one way is just a plain state in the midwest, but since I have never been there it, it truly could be anything, a bit of a schrodinger’s cat situation. Minnesota is also the birthplace of some of the great musical minds of our time (Prince, Bob Dylan etc) so there is a powerful and storied quality to it.”
Looking ahead to the new year, 2024 is very much our proverbial Minnesota. Sure, it’s just another calendar year, but you won’t know for sure until you get there.
You can also listen to ‘Minnesota’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
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