Julien Baker - "Hardline"

Julien Baker's new album, Little Oblivions, is out February 26 and today she has shared the second single, "Hardline."

Julien Baker is breaking her own mold. On previous records, she was quiet, contemplative, and introspective, retaining a quiet power through intimate songwriting skills. Not all of that has changed on the lead singles from her new album, but on the first two tracks, she is sounding more powerful than ever. She still can create gentle, affectionate songs, but the magnitude feels different. Jolts of electronics jump-start the song as it slowly builds into a stellar, triumphant number. Baker has gracefully graduated to a new-level of songwriting here and not only does she sound like she's been making these kind of rock songs for years, but there seems to be no sign of slowing down and her lyrics are just as magical as ever.

Accompanying the song is a video directed by Joe Baughman. “Even after having spent 600 hours immersed in ‘Hardline’ and having listened to it thousands of times, I am still moved by it,” Joe Baughman said in a press release. “It was a fun and ambitious challenge creating something that could accompany such a compelling song. The style of the set design, inspired by a sculpture that Julien created, was especially fun to work in. I loved sifting through magazines, maps, and newspapers from the ’60s and ’70s and finding the right colors, shapes, and quotes to cover almost every surface in the video.”

Little Oblivions is out February 26 via Matador.