I don’t need if I’ve ever seen two people struggle in such a beautiful way. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen as I watched Dara Carter and Julianna Smaltz’ new visual for “Lonely.” It was an extremely well-produced effort courtesy of Katherina “Raven” Kolomeitsev from Kraven Photography.

The juxtaposition of the vibrant colors and the strife the two endure as their tied up certainly boggles the mind, but it’s very clear they are emotionally torn in dealing with their solitude. I don’t know who put these beauties through BS, but they’ll be hearing from me. That chorus hit me in my heart. They have angelic, complementary vocals which flourish both within the actual words of the chorus and their back and forth “ooohs” and “aaahs.”

Perhaps it has nothing to do with other people and thing in the world binding them, but themselves and their difficulty in loving themselves. Thankfully, they persevere until near the end where the piano picks up and they break out of the electric cables. They unveil a piano and dance in celebration of their now mental freedom. The asylum which initially seemed like their prison becomes their safe haven.

“Lonely” comes from their Change of Life Holiday EP, intended to remind people how important it is to focus on what truly matters during the holiday season. Those vocals are surely on my list of important things for 2019. Dara began classical piano training at the age of 3, going on to write her own music before performing around Atlanta. Under the mentorship of Speech from Arrested Development and drawing influence from Stevie Wonder, she looks to spread her gift throughout the world.

Though this video comes highly suggested, don’t sleep on Carter’s other work such as “Sadderdays” and “Dragonfly.” I look forward to what comes next for Smaltz too. Check out the video for “Lonely” below!