Emerging from the kaleidoscopic creative continuum of L.A., songwriter, producer and singer Esthy has been championing a personal, heartfelt brand of modern pop, often oscillating between acoustic ballads and groovier, punchier hits. Following up on previous single ‘Not That Decent’, she is now back with what we believe to be her strongest and most stunning song to date, the mellow acoustic ballad ‘play pretend’.
You see, the voice and guitar combo manifest something special: it gives us the opportunity to appreciate the artist’s unfiltered talent. ‘play pretend’ won’t meet you with fancy production, or convoluted harmonies. Instead, you’ll be wrapped into a warm and poignant musical blanket, making it easy to appreciate the magnitude of Esthy’s songwriting prowess, together with her controlled, evocative vocals.
That’s simply beautiful, and also the confirmation the LA resident is ready for a step up in her career. Drawing comparisons to ‘Driving License’ by Olivia Rodrigo, ‘play pretend’ will instantly connect to the listener, thanks to his upfront nature and relatable lyrical theme. Describing the idea behind the track, Eshty explains: “Sometimes staying friends after a breakup can stop you from healing and even if you want to remain in contact, it just won’t work. And I can’t play pretend.”
Well, we can’t play pretend either; we are witnessing first-class artistry here, so drop what you are doing, take a deep breath, and dive into Esthy’s material. You won’t regret it.
Recommended! Stream the record on Spotify:
