Today, we are proudly premiering a new track from multi-ethnic, bedroom pop artist El Valerie. ‘I Always Hold On a Little Too Long’ is the lead single off upcoming Mint 400 Records album, Pan-American Pop, out 21st April.
“This song came out of nowhere, as many of our creative impulses and best songs do,” Valerie tells us. “I had a lot of pent-up feelings about all sorts of things at the time that I was writing it. What broke the dam was some toxic behavior in a friendship that was really hurting me, and I couldn’t decide how to move forward – whether to try and resolve things, or to end the relationship altogether.
“I realized that this reflected quite a few experiences I’ve had; I think that as women, we’re conditioned to shoulder all kinds of mistreatment that is so insidiously normalized that we become blind to how unfair and ridiculous it is, and to how much pain we’re really in. I’m 25, a young adult, and feel like I’m in a big ‘growing pains’ phase of my life – maybe we always are? ‘I Always Hold On A Little Too Long’ is about making big-girl decisions, letting go of what doesn’t serve you, and asserting my own humanity.”
Stream the track below, exclusively here, and follow El Valerie on Instagram for updates on her new record and touring plans.
