rlyblonde – the project of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Carina Allen – is making her musical debut with the release of her first single, “Fantasy,” out on all streaming platforms today.
While this may be her debut as a singer-songwriter, rlyblonde is no stranger to the music industry. The New York-based twenty-something has long been the go-to photographer, videographer and creative director for numerous musicians. After years of supporting other artists and friends’ visions, she decided to put down the camera and pick up the guitar for a change.
rlyblonde’s well-established visual world is given new dimension with the launch of her music project. In addition to handling all of the songwriting and creative planning, she has also overseen the conception, production and direction of the music video (out February 17th), and collaborated with friends to plan out and shoot her own artwork and imagery.
Her introductory single, “Fantasy,” flickers between gritty alt-rock and serene, melodic pop. Lyrically, the song echoes the familiar themes of heartbreak, identity, and growth that can also be seen in her past self-portraiture and personal photography work.
“‘Fantasy’ is really about being frustrated with dating culture and the performances that women (especially women dating men) have to put on, almost out of necessity, until it hits a point where it all becomes too draining,” she writes. “At the same time, it’s also a song about the power of women, the power of illusion and seduction, the power of confidence, and the power of being anonymous.”
rlyblonde will be unveiling the “Fantasy” music video at her debut performance at Heaven Can Wait in New York on February 17th. Click HERE to RSVP.
Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/6OIiTMnGvRuOiLJzI3haWm
Listen on Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/album/fantasy/1665348897
Listen on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/rly-blonde/fantasy-final
You can follow rlyblonde on website rlyblonde.com, Instagram @rlyblonde, Twitter @rlyblonde, YouTube @rlyblonde, Spotify @rlyblonde and TikTok