How many of us have wished we could start over again? Escape the pain and trauma of past events or make amends to those we’ve hurt? Even the most well-lived life can’t escape regret. There will always be those memories you can’t live down, the choices you wish you hadn’t made. And that’s not even taking into account the toxic times in which we live. What would you do if you could wish yourself away from all this hate and madness and begin anew?

That’s the central question that drives “New Life,” the new single from Rujen. With its sparkling melodies and latticework approach to instrumentation, the song provides a kaleidoscope of sounds in which to immerse the listener. There are buzzing riffs, gentle psychedelic grooves, and searing leads, all held together by Ryan Miller’s skyward croon. To put it plainly, it’s a track that’s easy to lose yourself in, which forms a large part of both its point and freewheeling appeal. Here, Miller’s simple declaration, “I’d start over new / Anywhere with you,” feels like a sacred vow. That’s especially true when you consider the apocalyptic shitshow we’ve had to endure the past two years.

“I wrote the song at the beginning of quarantine in 2020,” Miller explains. “[It] was loosely based around this thought I had of wishing there was sometimes a reset button for life. Sort of like, ‘Oh yeah, what’s happening in the world right now is really terrible, definitely not great… let’s unplug the universe and plug it back in real quick and try this again.'”

Filmed on Tybee Island, the video was directed and edited by Nate Ladd (Floyd County Productions) and Vaughn Elkourie (Adult Swim), with Ladd also providing the clip’s 3D animations. Conceptually it involves the members of the band dressing up as different family members and casually enjoying a family beach trip. The grandfather, played by lead guitarist Creighton Perme, struggles to keep up with all the activities, so he disappears into the ocean. While wandering the depths, he discovers a magical entity that grants him “new life” in the form of sick guitar chops and beach game dominance. It’s not exactly a universal reset but reclaimed youth makes for a solid consolation.

Watch/listen above.

“New Life” is the first single from Rujen’s upcoming debut LP, Feel It’s True, which is scheduled for release in September 2022.

More Info
Web: rujenmusic.com
Bandcamp: rujen.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @rujenATL
Instagram: @rujenmusic
Twitter: @rujenmusic