A tender folk pop song of compassion and connection, Evelyn Cools’ “Misfit Paradise” captures the magic of acceptance and the power of love.
Stream: “Misfit Paradise” – Evelyn Cools
Belonging is a funny word: You can spend your whole life thinking you’re fitting in, trying hard to make it work and attempting (ad nauseam) to feel comfortable in your skin, in the company of others, and in the world at large. Only when we actually find a space that really works for us do we realize we were at sea all along. Evelyn Cools’ new single is a heartwarming ode to the outsiders; the mavericks; the misfits – those of us who felt like something was missing, but didn’t know where to find it. A tender folk pop song of compassion and connection, “Misfit Paradise” captures the magic of acceptance and the power of love.
Hazy afternoon
Spent it with you again
Day just passing by
We care for the now
We’ll see if it lasts
But this is a spec of magic
We’ve got here
They’ll always be
What I’m waiting here for
Out in the free fall
Honey just see
This isn’t your place now
It’s only for real love
We open these gates
To those with a wild heart
Give everything they’ve got
In this misfit paradise
In this misfit paradise
We are all young
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering the Anastasia Shulepova and Yuri Semenyuk directed music video for “Misfit Paradise,” the title track off singer/songwriter Evelyn Cools’ recently-released EP Misfit Paradise (August 14, 2020). Having lived all over the world (Belgium, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Mainland China, Australia, Hungary) and now settled in New York City, Cools’ music has an earthen, homegrown quality to it that radiates authenticity. Vacillating between folk rock and folk pop, her latest EP is hearty and heartfelt – with feverish moments of rock and individuality like “Gold Woman” adjacent to more bittersweet softness as the piano ballad “Another Night.” Her song “Yosemite” is a stirring folk rock outpouring full of wonder that deserves a listen from all wanderers, wonders, and artists alike.
Meanwhile, it’s on “Misfit Paradise” that Cools opens up a bit more on her story, diving into the experience of settling into a home that finally feels comforting and familiar. “‘Misfit Paradise’ captures the beauty of time spent with people who accept us for who we truly are. The simplest and most carefree moments often become our fondest memories; they are what make life worth living. Once we find deep love for ourselves and the people that surround us, we can all create a paradise of our own,” she tells Atwood Magazine:
“I wrote ‘Misfit Paradise’ when I first moved to New York, so it felt very fitting to shoot the video here as well. Filmed while social distancing on Roosevelt Island, we wanted to set the tone with a backdrop of the vast NYC skyline. The idea had always been to use archive footage from the 1920s and 30s to tell the story. There is something about home videos and film from this time that really resonates with me. It feels so simple and pure, accentuating beauty in the little things, which fits perfectly with the message of “Misfit Paradise”. My hope is that this video transports people into a different time and place, and shows where our priorities should truly lie – in finding true connection and never taking the simple joys in life for granted.”
Running through the leaves
The only way we know
Is never to let go
These people we meet
Are we just the lucky ones
Seeing what’s beneath
We care for the now
We’ll see if it lasts
But this is a spec of magic
We’ve got here
They’ll always be
What I’m waiting here for
Out in the free fall
Honey just see
This isn’t your place now
It’s only for real love
We open these gates
To those with a wild heart
Give everything they are
In this misfit paradise
In this misfit paradise
We are all young
Watching “Misfit Paradise” should conjure up nostalgia for lives that are not our own; it is intended to take us out of our own worlds and into others’ lives, so that we may feel the bliss of these tiny euphorias. It should empower us to take a critical look at our own lives, to see if we’re having any of those moments on a regular basis as well. Are you happy where you are? Are you fulfilled; do you feel yourself? These are not simple questions, nor are they easy questions – but they are important questions all the same, and ones we should be constantly asking as the years go by.
In a way, “Misfit Paradise” is just one of the ways we can check in with ourselves. It’s a vessel through which we can explore our own sense of belonging, and our current vision of home. Past and present will always find ways to collide, and this video holds its weight well. Stream “Misfit Paradise” exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and be sure to stream Evelyn Cools’ new EP out now!
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Stream: “Misfit Paradise” – Evelyn Cools
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