Laura Mustard – Hibernation (2026)
Along with bright lights, fireworks, Dinner For One, big hugs, and that New Year’s kiss, entering the new year brings with it resolutions. To lose weight, to learn something new, to be productive at work, to become more active – these are some of the most common resolutions. The most common result: complete failure to maintain the resolution for even a single day… alright, let’s be optimistic, a week. Singer-songwriter Laura Mustard doesn’t sing about the failure in her new single ‘Hibernation’, but rather the disregard for those sometimes over-ambitious ideas during a time for reflection and relaxation. She explains:
“’Hibernation’ is an anti-New Year’s resolution song that encourages others to slow down and push back against productivity in the dark and cold months and find calm and comfort this winter season. My hobbies include writing lyrics on typewriters, filling up coloring books, meditating and doing 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles, so the theme of using winter as a time to rest and be present really resonates in my own life, and I hope to share it…”
Recorded and produced by Nolan Sorsby at his home studio in Nashville, ‘Hibernation’ is a stripped-down blend of vintage folk and contemporary folk-pop. With barebones simplicity, ‘Hibernation’ is a clear insight into the core of hibernation – a rub of relaxation and calm in a cold, dreary reality. Interestingly, while this simplicity makes for an easy-on-the-ears track, a smidgeon of intricacy exists in its overall arrangement as Sorsby’s cajon and acoustic guitar match Mustard’s piano, with Steven Bowman’s violin adding a soothing warmth.
For me, ‘Hibernation’ is that melodic hug from an old friend as you sit before the fire, drinking tea and indulging in chocolate biscuits. The thing is, as much as the instruments create a warm and fuzzy ambience, it is Mustard’s vocals that add the smile-inducing joy of chilling out in a cosy nest. The modern-day Carole King, her voice has that way of sinking into your skin, and the songwriting has that way of wrapping around your heart with complete understanding and friendly connection. If this is the way Laura Mustard enters 2026, I am eager to see, or rather hear, what else she has in store.
Find out more about Laura Mustard on her official website, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify..
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