Photo by Alysse Gafkjen

The Revivalists’ frontman David Shaw has released his first-ever solo singles, titled “Shaken” and “Promised Land.” In addition to the new singles, Shaw also shared a new music video for “Shaken.” The songs will appear on his upcoming debut solo record, which is due out in 2021.

According to a press release, Shaw was moved to create solo music “as he placed a renewed focus on self-care and personal growth.” “I was going through some tough times, and ‘Shaken’ came out when I first sat down to write a song knowing I was writing for just me this time which was a strange and different sort of feeling,” Shaw said via press release. “At first, writing this song was an exercise in self-care, but it became bigger than that. This song is for anyone who feels different, left out, misunderstood, or insecure – I want you to know that the things that make you feel that way now can be the same things that can lead you to your purpose or passion, to your happiness or success.”

“On ‘Promised Land,’ I was thinking about how I love my country, but America is not a promised land for so many people,” he continued (via press release). “Land of the free – sure, if you’re white and privileged. If you’re Black, you are walking around with a target on your back. Just ask George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others – you can’t, because they aren’t here anymore. The song is talking about the divide we have with race and class in this country. We need to act to dismantle systems that oppress and dehumanize people of color in this country.”

Shaw also spoke to Relix about the upcoming solo record. “I’ve been working on it off and on here for some time,” he said of the project. “The main thing with this solo project is that I just really realized that I kind of needed to grow in kind of another way that the band doesn’t really foster.”

“I just got to thinking, ‘if I’m ever really gonna get to where I can just really, you know, access full, full potential, I gotta be able to see if I can do this other thing,'” Shaw told Relix. “And it’s just been a major learning curve because there’s just so many things you don’t think about but it’s also been really beautiful and I’m surprising myself at every turn. It’s scary as hell!”

To listen to “Shaken,” click here. For “Promised Land,” click here. Watch the “Shaken” video below!