“Evan” is the first salvo from Elise LeGrow’s forthcoming album, the follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Playing Chess, and marks her first release of original material. On Playing Chess, LeGrow’s interpretations of tunes from the legendary Chess Records found fans in the likes of Action Bronson and Jools Holland, while amassing acclaim from Billboard, Okayplayer, Salon, Relix, MOJO, and many more.

Time has never felt more elastic than at this moment. Days feel like weeks and decades like years while streaming makes all cultural eras instantly accessible. But artistically embodying this elasticity is a challenge – how does one mash-up anachronistic moments and movements into songs that feel equal parts modern and retro? 

Amy Winehouse did it. Adele, too. Rihanna dabbles. And now spellbinding and sultry singer Elise LeGrow is threading this needle with new single “Evan,” similarly blending temporally disparate elements into a more powerful whole. 

“Evan” is produced by award-winning Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon). It is a deeply moving, slow-burning tribute to LeGrow’s friend who was killed over a decade ago and whose murder has never been solved. The poignant track centers LeGrow’s peerless vocal power with brokenhearted lyrics that lament the loss of her friend and reflect the mourning she continues to do for him, juxtaposed against light, airy melodies. The release is accompanied by an equally affecting, reflective video directed by Adrian Vieni. More details on the upcoming album to be announced.

LeGrow says of “Evan,” “It doesn’t come from a place of vendetta. It was really an act of reflection, and when I sing it, I hope that feeling will be shared by others, maybe about a friend they lost.”

Watch the music video for “Evan” below.