Genre-bending soul artist Chiiild, born Yonatan ‘Yoni’ Ayal, has released “Gone” with an alluring new video. The third single from his highly anticipated album Hope For Sale tells the story of young love and the challenges every relationship inevitably faces.
The accompanying visual, directed by Zac Wolf, shows the couple testing their strength as they willingly choose to face battles together. Chiiild sings, “Maybe we can learn from times like this, and they can be Gone.”
The album serves as a celebration for the life Ayal has created for himself and the multi-generational journey of having been raised as a first-generation Canadian-Ethiopian, in Montreal. Over plucked strings and subtle percussion, Chiiild’s gentle, confident croon carries the track. The chorus, instantly memorable, proves his knack for earworm melodies.
On the meaning behind the song, Chiiild explains, “It’s hard enough to find the words. ‘Gone’ is a song about the simple misunderstandings that come up when you least see them coming.”
He effortlessly translates the struggles of love with lines like, “It takes a little practice/So close I almost had it/I thought I was concise/But it turns out I guess it’s one of those nights,” “You’ve got your stories and I’ve got mine /You’re already perfect/I’m already right/With a little practice/We’ll be fine.”
Chiiild has made a name for himself occupying a space typically not representative of Black artists within the alt/pop genre. He can be called to a variety of influences including the sounds of psychedelic R&B, indie, and pop―he lands somewhere between D’Angelo and Tame Impala, with production inspired by artists like Pink Floyd.
The single follows the release of “Sleepwalking” and “Awake” feat. Mahalia, which garnered praise from NYLON, Teen Vogue, MTV, KCRW, UPROXX, SPIN, HotNewHipHop, and more.
Stay tuned for Chiiild’s upcoming album slated for release this summer via Avant Garden Records (Emotional Oranges, THEY., Slenderbodies, Unusual Demont).