Elaine, the young South African singing sensation who took the country by storm with the release of her EP Elements in 2019 has released a new song. The single “Shine” is accompanied by an extravagant music video and serves as the first single from her upcoming major label debut album. This is the second song that Elaine releases since inking a deal with American major record label Columbia Records. The first song she released is “Right Now”.
On “Shine”, Elaine sings against the backdrop of an elaborately produced pop instrumental produced by Stwo and Zeke, the former having worked with the likes of KAYTRANADA and OVO’s Noah “40” Shebib. The song is written by Elaine, with co-writing credits by Brittany B. who has written songs for the likes of Ledisi, Chrisette Michelle and Robert Glasper, amongst others.
“Shine” is Elaine’s most ambitious attempt at a pop hit single, a slight departure from her “sad girl” aesthetic her previous releases have been characterised by. She sings, “I don’t wanna stop your shine, ‘cause I love it when you shine… I just hope they know you’re mine, when they see you shine, like the sun in the sky and the moon at night…”.
Speaking about the song, she says: “’Shine’ is exactly what it feels like to loosen your grip and let go of fear, more particularly the fear of love, in all its forms. At the time I wrote it from a place of heartbreak – watching someone you love not love themselves or love you the way you love them, but wishing them the best regardless because you see the light in them. Making this song was special because I make a lot of sad girl music, but this time I expressed my pain in a different way which was refreshing. I can’t wait to share the rest of the album with you all. P.s. get ready for sad girl season, it’s about to get reallllll emotional.”
The music video is a visible big budget endeavour, directed by Jesse Ray Diamond, whose credits include Anderson .Paak, Kash Doll ft. Big Sean, and Timbaland. In the video, Elaine is in a beautiful, luxurious house, clad in fine clothes, as she sings her heart out about her well-wishes to her muse. She then meets her love interest in a dimly lit part of the house and continues to serenade them seductively.
Listen to “Shine” here and watch the music video below.
