Neil Friedlander ‘Totem’ – out now!

“Totem” is the kind of opening track that immediately defines the musical architecture of its album. Friedlander, clearly aware of the power of first impressions, approaches it with a balance of restraint and ambition. Written at a moment when the world had shrunk to the confines of a Brooklyn studio, the track transforms personal stasis into compelling motion. His lyricism—clever, self-aware, and occasionally whimsical—catches the ear without sacrificing emotional weight.

Camilleri’s production is particularly noteworthy, leaning into clean guitars, shimmering synths, and a rhythmic lightness that recalls late-90s and early-2000s radio staples. The sonic palette is bright without being glossy, nostalgic without feeling derivative. What emerges is an audio environment that mirrors Friedlander’s thematic landscape: an airy space where uncertainty becomes an invitation rather than an obstacle.

The video, meanwhile, elevates the song into a fuller multi-sensory experience. The choreography by Hayley Rose Brasher and Brandy Brown introduces a dimension of physical storytelling—movement as search, movement as offering. Jun-Ting Zhou’s cinematography captures the surreal contrast between urban proximity and forested escape, reinforcing the track’s central tension between confinement and expansion. Together, the song and video mark “Totem” as a well-crafted, forward-facing statement piece.

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