Valerie June Wonders “Why The Bright Stars Glow” on New Single + Video

Memphis-based artist Valerie June shares the second single from her highly-anticipated full-length, titled The Moon & Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers, out March 12th via Fantasy Records. Hear “Why The Bright Stars Glow” below, via a video directed by Renata Raksha. (And revisit her KEXP session from the 2018 Upstream Music Fest!)

The Moon & Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers will be June's first new album since 2017’s The Order of Time. In a press release, she reflects, “With this record, it finally became clear why I have this dream of making music. It’s not for earthly reasons of wanting to be awarded or to win anybody’s love — it’s because dreaming keeps me inquisitive and keeps me on that path of learning what I have to share with the world. I think when we allow ourselves to dream like we did when we were kids, it ignites the light that we all have within us, and helps us to have a sort of magic about the way we live.”

June co-produced the album with Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, John Legend), who shares her interest in experimentation. “For this album I wanted to see how we could bring some modern elements into that band-in-the-room approach I’ve taken with my records in the past. Anytime you create, you should always be exploring and changing and trying things you’ve never done before.”

The result is an enchanting album that combines folk, soul, gospel, country, and blues. June says she hopes the release will bring comfort during these difficult times. “I see these songs almost like matches for people to strike when they need to reignite that inner light and keep going when things feel dark,” says June. “I hope it helps them to feel empowered, to realize their strength and their beauty and all the gifts they have to give. And I hope it also helps people to recognize the light in everyone around them, so that we can all connect with each other in a kinder and gentler and more loving way.”