Rising alternative R&B singer Forest Claudette has released their new song, “2AM.”
On the track, produced by Sam de Jong and Bumbasee, Claudette beautifully captures the magic of a relationship’s early moments.
“Took a while to decide if you like me / Was cool on the sideline, you just like me / You and I are not just friends / But we still friends,” they sing over a knocking production accentuated with French horns.
“2AM is a song about the very beginnings of love, a snapshot of the third date. It was really just a road trip. But it’s one of those moments that you won’t ever forget,” explains Claudette.
“2AM” is the second single from Claudette’s EP, & Stone Between, which releases Aug. 23 via Warner Records. The project will also include the lead single “Moonlight.”
The latter track was inspired by the Oscar-winning movie Moonlight, starring Mahershala Ali and Trevante Rhodes.
Speaking on the song’s inspiration, Claudette shared, “Four years ago, I saw the film Moonlight for the first time, and it changed my life. Afterward, I picked up my guitar, and this idea sort of poured out of me. I’d never felt like I had the space to hold that side of myself before, and even still, it’s taken all this time to feel comfortable, safe, and secure enough to share it with the world.”
They continued, “One of my many favorite things about this song is that my parents agreed to play strings on it. Being able to immortalize them on something so deeply personal feels like an incredibly loud stamp or mark of their acceptance and support of who I am. It’s such a special feeling. My mom said something after watching the music video for Moonlight, she said she felt like she could see me better, as if somehow I was revealed in a new light.”
Claudette’s & Stone Between EP will follow their Jupiter EP, which was released in May. The four-track project included the singles “Kobe Beef” and “Gold.”
“This EP is a summary of my life over the last three years. It was birthed from the concept that if men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, then maybe I could be from Jupiter. Realizing and then accepting that I am non-binary (they/them) took a long time,” Claudette exclusively told Rated R&B. “I offer this project as an opportunity to investigate oneself, and to celebrate whatever you find.”
On Sept. 11, Claudette will kick off their & Stone Between Tour at The Masquerade in Atlanta. The seven-city tour will make stops in Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, and Toronto before concluding Sept. 21 in San Fransisco.
Stream Forest Claudette’s new song “2AM” and see their tour dates below.
Forest Claudette’s & Stone Between Tour Dates
Sep 11 – Atlanta, Georgia @ The Masquerade: Purgatory
Sep 13 – Washington, D.C. @ DC9
Sep 14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Zone One at Elsewhere
Sep 16 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake
Sep 18 – Chicago, IL @ Hideout
Sep 20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Peppermint Club
Sep 21 – San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar
Get tickets at forestclaudette.com.