Setting the tone with a meditative textured frequency and enigmatic melody with rippling harp detailing, Realma opens Ashgrey Butterfly with dimensionality, and a cosmic orchestral energy as she delivers atmospheric vocals and metaphorical lyricism.
The opus expands into a whimsical soundscape with elements of psychedelia, and a genre expansive nature as Realma takes us on an transcendental journey, whilst “addressing real-life concerns of social burnout, loneliness and depression prevalent in modern adolescence and young adulthood.”
Speaking on the release, the rising star confesses with depth, “It’s an interesting song, since it emanates a kind of Disney vibe, especially in my instrumentation and singing style, yet there is also a bit of that teen-witchy 90s Charmed aura. Some might even recognize the single’s grandiose touches as a nod to Enya.”
Realma continues, “Fundamentally though, the lyrics depict a very personal, endlessly uncertain struggle on how to find one’s place when always feeling out of place. Perhaps the metaphorical juxtaposition between the ashen butterfly and colour-obsessed bees found here is somewhat Dickinson-esque. In the sense that the poet utilized similar nature motifs with tones of melancholy in her ever-questioning poetic space of solitude.”
We appreciate the authenticity, creativity and poetic prowess that Realma shares with her artistry, and as with her previous tracks, Ashgrey Butterfly features an incredible visual collaboration with the award-winning animator and artist, Mihajlo Dragaš.
Mihajlo elaborates, “My main aim for the 2D animation was to emphasize the feelings of nostalgia and youthfulness underlined by the music. I tried to simulate the old-school ink and watercolor art styles to help cast the same wistful appeal heard in the song. With the addition of sparkling colors, which contrast the darker, plaintive blues of the lonely fairy, the audience will discover how the colourful vistas the character is hypnotised by might be deceiving.”
We love the sonic and visual universe that Realma is creating, and it is no surprise that her exquisite artistry has been featured in Rolling Stone India, Calvert Journal, Music Crowns, Zile si Nopti, Vreme to name a few.
Ashgrey Butterfly has been added to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to explore Realma‘s wider discography including A Hint of Pink and Wandering.