- Words Maria Mukaranda
- Photography Gus Black
17-year-old indie-pop singer Cloe Wilder returns with her latest single, 'Homesick', exploring nostalgia, longing and hope.
After piquing listeners’ interest as the opening act for viral sensation Spencer Sutherland, 17-year-old indie-pop singer Cloe Wilder is back with her latest single, ‘Homesick’. With evocative lyrics, haunting vocals and an impactful video, this song offers a glimpse into her world of storytelling.
‘Homesick’ dissects universal themes of yearning and belonging, exploring nostalgia and a longing for the unattainable. Its video, set in a high school and directed by Gus Black (known for work with artists like Lizzy McAlpine and Phoebe Bridgers) mirrors the song’s theme of longing, evoking a rom-com high school story. “I wrote this song about every little thing that I miss about home,” Cloe says on the release. “I immediately knew that I wanted to film the music video inside of a high school. Gus Black directed the video. I really love his work. We had a great day and I think the video ended up being a cool representation of the song; a far away, isolated feeling.”
The artist uses the emotionally charged composition as a conduit for her wistful lyricism, while her voice, filled with earnest nostalgia, encapsulates the essence of being ‘Homesick’. It’s a new direction for her, merging the past with the future.
Instead of the usual teenage activities of her peers, growing up Cloe focused on creating music. Classical piano lessons and recitals laid the foundation and her first writing camp at 12 was a turning point. Collaborating with songwriter/producer Sam Nicolosi led to her 2021 debut EP, ‘Teenage Lullabies’, which showcased her talent beyond her years. Their partnership continued with her recent single, ‘House by the Water’, a delicate exploration of growing up and leaving childhood behind, tinged with hope.
As she gears up for a 2024 album release, ‘Homesick’ is just a taste of what’s to come.