UK-based singer-songwriter Harlee is celebrating the release of her debut music video today, and CelebMix is here to bring you the exclusive premiere!
Harlee’s origins as an artist date back to six years ago, when she was only 11 years old. She began her career like many artists do nowadays- posting covers of songs by the likes of Adele and Emeli Sande on YouTube. From there, she progressed quickly, working with a vocal coach and playing gigs in cities around the UK at age 12. Soon after, she ventured into songwriting, discovering not only a passion but a genuine talent for crafting songs. In an interview with PopCrush, Harlee explains how songwriting also helped her personal growth, saying that “exploring themes and lyrics for my songs has really put me in touch with my own feelings and emotions.” More recently, Harlee was featured as a Tidal Rising Artist. One of her unreleased songs, “Now I Know” was featured on NBC’s Blindspot and VH1’s Black Ink Crew.
Now, at age 17, she’s ready to officially kick off her music career. On September 29th, Harlee released her debut single “Holding On” after signing with Steve Madden’s 5’Towns Records. Since its release, the song has been added to Spotify’s Chilled Pop Hits and New Dance Revolution playlists.
An upbeat dance tune on the surface, “Holding On” tackles the difficulty of deciding whether to let go or hold on to a troubled relationship. The lyrics are relatable to most everyone, speaking of feeling stuck and uncertain about how to proceed when a relationship is at a crossroads. Harlee described “Holding On” as “a happy, get-on-your-feet song that hides that struggle and frustration within.” She went on to say it was “the first song I wrote that I felt proud of and that I felt confident in sharing.”
The music video conveys the deeper message of the song while maintaining a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere. The video follows Harlee as she visits her boyfriend’s flat, only to realize he had been spending time with another girl. Harlee’s performance of the song is intercut with scenes of the couple arguing about the situation, and Harlee using the lyrics to express her feelings to her partner. While the argument doesn’t end well, the video does treat us to a happy ending. Harlee finds someone new to connect with and ultimately chooses to stop “holding on” to her old relationship.
Watch the video for Harlee’s debut single “Holding On” here:
https://youtu.be/DLu2pZ61s0c
Holding On by Harlee is also available to watch on VEVO.
What’s next for Harlee? Well, her next single, “Venom”, and an accompanying music video, are set to release by the end of this year. She is also currently working on her debut EP, which will feature two songs in addition to “Venom”. Harlee has co-written all of the songs on the EP and is collaborating with producers that have worked with the likes of Rixton and Janelle Monae. Above all, Harlee strives to form a personal connection with those who listen to her music. “I want to confide in them, I want to stir their emotions and provide them with a musical place in which they can comfortably escape, or rejoice,” she says.
“Holding On” is a powerful debut that exudes confidence, maturity, and even some emotional vulnerability. At just 17, there’s no denying that Harlee has a bright future ahead of her. With natural vocal talent, on-screen swagger, and a passion for songwriting, she has everything she needs to become a household name. We hope you enjoyed our exclusive premiere of Harlee’s “Holding On”, and we can’t wait to see what she’ll do in the future!
Don’t forget to keep up with Harlee on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. “Holding On” is available to download or stream here.
What are your thoughts on the music video for Harlee’s debut single “Holding On”? Let us know by tweeting us @CelebMix.