Michellar, emerging from the vibrant music scene of San Francisco, United States, is a multi-faceted artist whose creative journey spans decades. She began songwriting at the tender age of fifteen, cultivating a strong foundation in music through early exposure to folk, Latin music, and musical theatre, influenced by her parents and the cultural backdrop of her large family of nine siblings. Michellar’s early experiences in glee clubs, church choirs, and familial performances nurtured her soprano voice and shaped her musical instincts. However, her artistic pursuits went on a forty-year hiatus as she focused on building a career in landscape architecture and fine arts, achieving recognition in exhibitions across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Italy, and San Francisco. Her return to creative expression was catalyzed by her acceptance into the DeYoung Museum Open Call Exhibition in 2023, reigniting her passion for songwriting. Since then, Michellar has been prolific, releasing 22 singles in just nine months, marking a remarkable resurgence that fuses the depth of lived experience with her early musical sensibilities.
Released on January 2nd, 2026, Michellar’s album “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW” is a masterfully curated collection of 11 tracks that encapsulate both her personal journey and artistic evolution. The album was created in collaboration with producer Tobias Wilson, whose guidance allowed Michellar to translate her musical vision into cohesive and emotive soundscapes. Each track blends her folk and Americana roots with subtle, contemporary textures, producing a warm, reflective atmosphere that invites the listener into her inner world. Wilson’s understanding of her vision ensured that the production enhances rather than overshadows her delicate yet commanding vocal performances, creating a sense of intimacy and authenticity throughout the record. From the very first note, the listener is transported through moments of serene introspection, gentle acoustic arrangements, and thoughtfully layered instrumental textures that feel both timeless and immediate.
Lyrically, “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW” is deeply personal, drawing from Michellar’s decades-long journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and creative rebirth. Her melodies are carefully constructed to reflect a contemplative yet hopeful tone, offering a musical diary that touches on themes of memory, perseverance, and finding peace with oneself. Tracks like Reverie serve as emotional anchors, embodying her reflections on the passage of time and the quiet satisfaction of self-realization, while songs such as Running Wild, co-written with Tobias Wilson, illustrate a collaborative spark that expands her sonic palette. Instrumentation is deliberately measured, balancing acoustic guitar, piano, and nuanced percussive elements that highlight the lyricism without overwhelming it. Michellar’s choice to maintain clarity and space in the arrangements reinforces the album’s intimate, diary-like quality, allowing every chord and vocal nuance to resonate.
REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW Album Track List:
It’s Another Year:
The album “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW” opens with “It’s Another Year,” a track that immediately establishes the reflective and intimate tone that permeates the record. From the first bar, soft percussion and gently strummed guitar create a welcoming atmosphere that feels both calm and hopeful, setting the listener at ease. The arrangement is understated yet purposeful, allowing space for the song to breathe and for the nuances of Michellar’s performance to resonate fully. It feels like the musical equivalent of stepping into a quiet morning, where the subtle textures of the instrumentation mirror the gentle unfolding of a new day. This track functions as an entry point into Michellar’s emotional world, laying the foundation for the introspection and authenticity that define the album.
Vocally, Michellar delivers her performance with intimacy and restraint, her unadorned soprano drawing listeners into a space of personal reflection rather than a conventional performance. Every phrase is deliberate, with pauses and subtle inflections that carry emotional weight and meaning. The openness of the arrangement highlights her voice, ensuring that the lyrical content, meditations on time, growth, and the quiet passage of life, comes to the forefront. In this way, “It’s Another Year” serves as a mirror for the listener, inviting them to pause and consider the passing of time in their own lives while connecting to the song’s thoughtful perspective.
As an opener, “It’s Another Year” functions like the first page of a journal, honest, calm, and full of promise. It establishes the album’s thematic and emotional terrain, grounded, reflective, and free from excessive dramatization. The track’s gentle instrumentation and sincere vocal delivery create a reflective atmosphere that carries through the album, setting the stage for the exploration of self-discovery and personal growth that defines “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW.” In both tone and intention, this track embodies the album’s heart, signaling that what follows is a journey of quiet introspection, patience, and the nuanced beauty of lived experience.
Running Wild:
The track “Running Wild (feat. Harrison Black)” brings a lively shift in pace to the album “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW.” It blends folk and Americana influences with a spirited energy that immediately evokes the feeling of hitting the open road. Rhythmic guitar lines drive the track forward, creating momentum that mirrors the sensation of movement through wide-open landscapes. The arrangement is energetic yet measured, allowing each instrumental layer to breathe while maintaining a sense of constant forward motion. As a result, the song contrasts beautifully with the album’s more reflective opening tracks, adding a dynamic range that keeps the listener engaged throughout the record.
Vocally, Harrison Black’s earthy tone pairs seamlessly with Michellar’s warm delivery, creating a rich interplay that adds depth and texture to the song. Their harmonies feel natural and unforced, enhancing the expansive atmosphere that the music conveys. The combination of voices brings a grounded quality to the track, ensuring that its energy feels rooted in experience rather than mere performance. The vocal interaction mirrors the song’s thematic journey, emphasizing connection, reflection, and the shared experience of navigating life’s winding paths.
Lyrically, “Running Wild” explores themes of freedom, memory, and self-discovery, capturing the essence of exploration without resorting to reckless abandon. It embodies a mature and reflective perspective, celebrating the joy of moving forward while acknowledging the lessons of the past. The track balances its roots influences with modern indie sensibilities, making it one of the more rhythmic and lively songs on the album. In doing so, it enhances the narrative arc of “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW,” offering listeners a sense of movement and possibility within the broader contemplative journey of Michellar’s music.
Promise:
The track “Promise” brings the listener into a quieter, more introspective space on the album “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW.” Following the lively energy of “Running Wild,” the song shifts to minimalism, allowing every note and lyric to carry deliberate weight. The arrangement is centered around a restrained piano or keyboard motif, creating a suspended atmosphere that feels like a breath held between significant moments. This thoughtful pacing encourages the listener to pause and reflect, providing a contemplative counterpoint to the album’s more rhythmically driven tracks.
Vocally, Michellar’s performance takes center stage, her voice unadorned yet full of emotional resonance. The simplicity of the instrumentation allows her soprano to communicate every nuance of the lyrics with sincerity and gentle precision. Each line is delivered as if in quiet conversation, reinforcing the song’s intimate quality. The restraint in both vocal and instrumental approach highlights Michellar’s ability to convey profound emotion without the need for elaborate arrangements or embellishments.
Lyrically and thematically, “Promise” emphasizes stillness, reflection, and the weight of quiet commitments. It is a space where emotional clarity takes precedence over narrative momentum, inviting the listener to linger on the meaning behind each phrase. The minimalist production reinforces the idea that some reflections are best expressed in simplicity, creating a meditative environment within the album. In this way, the track deepens the emotional arc of “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW,” providing a moment of calm introspection that balances the record’s more dynamic passages.
The Star:
The track “The Star” closes the album “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW” on a serene and pastoral note, providing a sense of calm resolution after the reflective journey of the preceding tracks. The production is spacious and minimal, echoing the contemplative tone set by the album’s opening track. Gentle acoustic textures and a soothing melodic arc create an atmosphere of quiet peace, allowing the listener to feel both grounded and uplifted. The track’s measured pacing gives it the quality of a gentle exhale, signaling a thoughtful conclusion to the record’s emotional narrative.
Vocally, Michellar delivers with warmth and intimacy, her soprano floating gracefully over the delicate instrumentation. The minimal production ensures that every vocal nuance is heard, emphasizing the sincerity and contemplative nature of the lyrics. This approach allows the song’s emotional depth to resonate fully, highlighting the subtle interplay between reflection, memory, and hope. Michellar’s performance conveys a personal yet accessible quality, inviting listeners into a space of shared experience and quiet introspection.
Lyrically and thematically, “The Star” focuses on memory, hope, family, and the quiet warmth that binds people together. The song is both personal and universal, reflecting Michellar’s own life experiences while remaining open enough for listeners to place their own memories and emotions into it. In this way, the track serves as a fitting conclusion to “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW,” encapsulating the album’s central themes of reflection, growth, and emotional intimacy. It leaves the listener with a lasting sense of serenity and connection, completing the album’s journey on a note of gentle contemplation and heartfelt resolution.
Vocally, Michellar delivers each track with calm confidence and expressive restraint, her soprano tones floating gracefully over the instrumental arrangements. This clarity and emotional resonance enable the listener to fully engage with her narratives, from moments of quiet introspection to passages of gentle optimism. Technically, the album demonstrates her rapid growth as a songwriter and producer, having learned the intricacies of music production through hands-on experience with GarageBand. Tobias Wilson’s contributions, particularly on tracks like Running Wild, complement her style without overpowering it, ensuring that the album maintains a consistent sonic identity while exploring nuanced dynamics and textures. Subtle layering of harmonies, gentle rhythmic patterns, and acoustic flourishes create depth without distraction, emphasizing the introspective storytelling at the heart of the project.
REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW Is A Masterfully Crafted Album Where Michellar Blends Folk, Americana, And Intimate Storytelling To Create A Reflective, Heartfelt, And Universally Resonant Musical Experience
Ultimately, “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW” stands as both a personal achievement for Michellar and a universally resonant musical work. The album balances accessibility with artistic sophistication, inviting repeated listening to uncover layers of nuance in lyrics, harmonies, and instrumentation. It is an intimate diary, a reflective memoir, and a testament to her perseverance, self-discovery, and artistic rebirth. Every element of the album, from the carefully considered arrangements and delicate instrumentation to her sincere vocal delivery and introspective lyrics, reflects Michellar’s journey and artistic integrity. “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW” is a milestone, a heartfelt and cohesive statement of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of music as a medium for self-expression.
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