01 July 2024 - 0 Comments

Aotearoa singer and songwriter Arahi has today released We’ve Seen Better Days - a dark and dreamy new single, which signals an exciting new chapter for the trailblazing troubadour.

Listen to We’ve Seen Better Days  HERE

Moody and melancholic, We’ve Seen Better Days finds an introspective Arahi pairing heartbreaking lyricism with a wide and lonely sonic landscape that allows the listener to wander through.

“It is common to reminisce fondly on the past only once you’re granted the perspective of time - but even once this is realised it is still rare to surrender yourself to the idea that perhaps the ‘good old days’ are here in front of you, each day. This is the song of someone who is clinging on to ‘better days’ not realising they are in fact missing them here and now.”

Arahi expands more on the sentiment of the song, explaining the title We’ve Seen Better Days was gifted to him by a poignant moment at a prestigious music event.

“I’d not long moved to Auckland when I found myself at the Taite Prize. I watched as Warren Maxwell was announced to present Paul Huggins with the Independent Spirit Award. Warren begins reminiscing before ending by saying, ‘We’ve seen better days’. It was a moment felt around the room and it stuck with me.”

The song is accompanied by a music video, made by SportsTeam.

“Sometimes the writing and recording process is so quick I barely get time to really think about the song, but shooting a music video in the early morning hearing the song over and over really helped me sink into it and live it on camera,” says Arahi.

“Shot by SportsTeam, the music video dances between the present day and the days we fondly look back on. The harshness of a solo journey contrasts with the warm memory of wandering with a companion who, in this music video, is portrayed by Liv Tennet.”

Watch the video HERE

Recorded partly at home and with the award-winning Jol Mulholland at The Lab, We’ve Seen Better Days marks the start of a new era for Arahi, who received critical acclaim for his 2022 EP, REVELATOR.

The song further showcases the depth of Arahi’s artistry and songwriting talents and makes way for a new body of work, which promises to be every bit as special.

“A common thread between my work as an artist is people, and more specifically their stories. I consider myself a storyteller and the music the vessel. We’ve Seen Better Days is another important story to help us better understand ourselves and others,” he says.

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