Photo Credit: Hana Siddiqi
Written by: Oliver Heffron
Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Safiyah Hernandez slides past her worries on her groovy new single “Skateboard,” an ode to the simple joys that have gotten her through being a teenager during these stressful times–music, friends, and, most of all, her skateboard.
Following her debut single, the moody and intimate track “9 PM,” the new single “Skateboard” offers an accompanying vision of a similar idea grounding Hernandez’s music: the need for cathartic, creative release growing up in a time of unprecedented communal stress.
Instrumentally cycling between stripped-back verses and an infectious, bass-driven chorus, the track highlights both Safiyah’s poignant lyricism on fighting through grief, isolation, and confusion and her talent for crafting catchy melodies that beckon the listener to break out a dance.
The music video visualizes the carefree energy of the track, with Hernandez distilling the vibe of her California upbringing into empty pools-turned-skateparks, letting her friends stand center in the frame to bust down an incredibly fun set of dance moves.
With only two tracks under her belt, Safiyah Hernandez displays an immense talent and knack for writing songs that produce an emotional release.