[MV + SINGLE REVIEW] 432 - CHRISSY MAE VALENTINE

If Solo is the (pre-pandemic) party of the year, then 432 is the ride home. On her latest single, songstress Chrissy Mae Valentine (@chrissymaevalentine) explores the post-relationship motions of reflection and growth atop a dreamy instrumental produced by none other than the guitar don Bencio (@benciomusic) . With refined, golden-age Hollywood visuals to match from videographer Jason Queue (@jasonqueue), the track takes on an atmosphere of classical romance.

432 music video still (Image Credit: Jason Queue, provided by artist)

Valentine’s vocal performance is insightful and deliberate. While it may have been easy to fill up space over the track with runs aplenty, she opts to hold back and let the lyrics take centre stage. This allows her to focus on the idea of vulnerability within the track. In her own words, “It’s holding space for someone gone. It’s not being fully healed and missing an old relationship”. 432 finds its brilliance in it’s consistency here, with thoughtful, lower-register vocals enhancing the more down to earth subject matter.

Drenched in the same colour palette as her previous single, Queue does well to build a narrative around Valentine’s track. Jumping between Valentine’s purple bedroom (with built in snow machine) and a masquerade ball, the 432 visuals complement the elegance of the muted trumpets of Bencio’s production. Additionally, the revelation that the video’s events happen in Sydney’s CBD makes the track all the more nostalgic for times when such events were permitted. They’re even wearing masks. Come on Gladys.

432 cover art (Image caption: Provided by artist)

432 is a soul-baring and honest track from the Western Sydney artist, who worked with an all asian cast to bring her single to fruition. It is this strong connection to heritage that gives Valentine’s music a sense of identity. Whether belting out party tracks or crooning lullaby’s like 432, whenever she’s illuminated in Queue’s hues (sorry not sorry) we know we have a Chrissy Mae Valentine track on our hands.

Stream 432 here and watch the music video here.