Enter the ethereal world of Zelma Stone’s latest song “Be Free,” characterised by airy vocals, soft, laid-back beats, and crisp guitar fingerpicking. In just one listen, the arrangement of the melody transports the listener to an introspective, deeply felt universe that is created through the song’s opening notes and then solidfied by the poetic yet unassuming lyrics.
“Be Free” is also an honest conversation through loss, at times disarming in its starkness, at other times an ode to acceptance. Hauntingly beautiful, she sings straight to them, wondering if in this case, “they are free and if they needed to be freed from their body”.
The harmonies of the track are gently lain, to lay down layers of complexity that mirror the twists of life. In the chorus of the song, Zelma was to learn that by setting her loved one free, she was actually setting herself free from grief.
The track comes with an achingly beautiful music video, co-directed by Hayden J. Frederick, who also plays both Brett and Jenny in the clip. It unfolds with a journey from darkness into light, echoing the themes of loss and eventual acceptance.
“It was extremely therapeutic and healing to shoot this” said Zelma of the filming. To Zelma, this chance of working with Frederick was golden—one of the many she had ever dreamt of: combining dance with visual storytelling. They put together a series of visuals, which will apparently accompany her new EP “A Dance.” Just like the same visual EP with live dancers and immersive storytelling, it should be a real feast for the eyes.
As “Be Free” washes away into the ether, there’s a reminder that even within the depth of grief, hope and healing lay in waiting. Zelma Stone saves in the dark and points a way toward acceptance, and finally, freedom.
You can find more of Zelma Stone at:
You can listen to ‘Be Free’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.