Sunny Atema has been writing songs for years, but her solo artist project Wildlife Freeway is still very much in its infancy. Her third single release “Forest” is out this week, coupled with its visually stunning music video. The song is a deeply emotional and haunting journey of acknowledging grief and allowing ourselves to mourn our lost loves. In essence, it is a voyage to the afterlife to visit a dead friend.
“Layers of synchronicities wove through the retelling of ‘Forest’ song through making this video,” Atema explains. “In the video I wander through forests projected into night, time layering, blurring. Alex [Ebert] became a human tree embodying an impossible visitation to one who has crossed to the other side. Music sings what we can’t say. And music is magic, it can bend time. All the way to the afterlife, and future life too.”
Wildlife Freeway showcases striking sounds, widening awakening, and wonder. Sunny tours with her upright piano, performing intimate songs that explore interconnectivity, reverence, story, and perception. In January 2020, just before the pandemic, Sunny recorded Wildlife Freeway the album, produced and accompanied by Alex Ebert (Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros). The album will be released in early 2022 on Ebert’s label, Community Music.
More new music ahead of the album can be expected. For now, check out “Forest” below.
