An arresting blend of warmth, introspection, and defiant optimism, Aly & AJ’s “What It Feels Like” is a masterclass in vulnerability and self-acceptance.
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“What It Feels Like” – Aly & AJ
I wanna know what it feels like to let beauty fade, well, that’s okay, I’m not afraid…
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For those who grew up in the golden era of Disney Channel, Aly & AJ are not just a musical duo – they’re an experience, a nostalgia-filled capsule of youthful energy and anthemic pop rock.
But if you still associate the Michalka sisters with their 2007 smash “Potential Breakup Song,” their latest release “What It Feels Like” will shatter that image in the best possible way. With this single, the duo fully embraces their evolution, offering a bold and introspective meditation on aging, womanhood, and resilience in the face of an industry that often discards artists as they mature.
Been thinking ’bout
the way my blue jeans fit
Yeah, every year they
hang a little different
The way my hair blows in the wind
Is not the way it looked back then
But I’m standing taller
than I’ve ever been, I’ve ever been
I’ve come this far not to get this close
To taste the land of honey
I’ve come too far, it’s too long a road
Just to trade my dreams for money
I’ve come this far not to get this close
To taste the land of honey
I’ve come too far, it’s too long a road
Just to trade my dreams
Released as the lead single from their upcoming album Silver Deliverer, due out in spring 2025, “What It Feels Like” is an arresting blend of warmth, introspection, and defiant optimism. The song, produced by three-time Grammy nominee Jonathan Wilson, seamlessly fuses classic rock influences with Aly & AJ’s signature harmonies, resulting in a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. Serving as a statement – one that refuses to conform to the rigid expectations of pop stardom and instead prioritizes raw, unfiltered artistry.
From the first strum of the guitar, “What It Feels Like” transports listeners into a dreamy, sun-soaked soundscape. Recorded in Topanga Canyon, California, the song carries an organic, almost spiritual energy, deeply connected to nature and transformation. The setting for its creation could not have been more symbolic – Aly Michalka went into labor with her son, Jack, during the recording process, adding an even deeper layer of meaning to the song’s themes of growth, renewal, and the passage of time.
“What It Feels Like” is a masterclass in vulnerability and self-acceptance.
The verses reflect on the inevitable physical and emotional changes that come with age, “Been thinking ’bout the way my skin has changed / The sun keeps beating straight down on my face / I’ve lost a couple friends this year / It makes me think we’re fragile here”. There’s a weight to these words, a bittersweet recognition of life’s fleeting nature. But rather than mourning youth, Aly & AJ choose to celebrate the wisdom and strength that come with experience.
The chorus is where the song truly soars. The sisters sing, “I wanna know what it feels like / I wanna know what it feels like / To let beauty fade, well, that’s okay, I’m not afraid.” In an industry that often sidelines women as they age, these words are revolutionary. They reject the toxic notion that youth is the only currency of value, instead embracing the beauty found in change and self-assurance. It’s an anthem for anyone who has ever felt pressured to chase an unattainable, airbrushed ideal – a song that urges us to redefine what it means to be beautiful.
I wanna know what it feels like
I wanna know what it feels like
To let beauty fade, well,
that’s okay, I’m not afraid
I wanna know what it feels like
What it feels like
Beyond its powerful message, “What It Feels Like” is simply an exceptional piece of music. The production is lush but not overwhelming, allowing the sincerity of Aly & AJ’s vocals to shine. The instrumentation is rich with layers – shimmering guitars, a steady bassline, and subtly intricate percussion all working in harmony to create an immersive listening experience.
There’s a certain ease to the track, a confidence in its pacing that feels reminiscent of ’70s rock ballads. The song stretches beyond five minutes, an intentional choice that defies modern pop’s demand for brevity, letting the listener sit with its message and truly feel its impact.
One of the most striking aspects of “What It Feels Like” is how effortlessly it intertwines personal and universal experiences.
The Michalka sisters wrote the song from the perspective of a new mother (Aly) and a new aunt (AJ), but its themes of self-reflection and resilience resonate far beyond their individual stories. It’s a track for anyone who has ever wrestled with self-doubt, who has ever felt the sting of being undervalued, who has ever wondered what it means to truly accept themselves. It’s about choosing joy and purpose over fear and superficiality.
Been thinking ’bout the way my skin has changed
The sun keeps beating straight down on my face
I’ve lost a couple friends this year
It makes me think we’re fragile here
I’m standing taller
than I’ve ever been, I’ve ever been
I’ve come this far not to get this close
To taste the land of honey
I’ve come too far, it’s too long a road
Just to trade my dreams for money
I’ve come this far not to get this close
To taste the land of honey
I’ve come too far, it’s too long a road
Just to trade my dreams
I wanna know what it feels like
I wanna know what it feels like
To let beauty fade, well,
that’s okay, I’m not afraid
I wanna know what it feels like
What it feels like
Of course, this single also serves as a sharp response to the music industry itself. The duo recently revealed on Call Her Daddy that a major label rejected “Silver Deliverer” because Aly & AJ, now in their 30s, were deemed to have an audience that was too “old.” The rejection only fueled their determination, reinforcing their commitment to making music on their own terms. It’s impossible to listen to “What It Feels Like” and not feel a sense of defiance woven into its DNA.
This defiance extends to the song’s sonic choices as well. While modern pop often prioritizes high-energy hooks and rapid-fire verses, Aly & AJ opt for a slow burn. There’s a quiet confidence in the way the song unfolds, taking its time to build towards a cathartic, almost meditative conclusion. The decision to let the track breathe, to let the lyrics sink in, is a testament to their growth as artists and storytellers.
Been lookin’ back at old photographs
The ones I used push right past
Now I’m drawn to the ones
where I’m mid laughing
Now I see the worth in that
“What It Feels Like” is more than just a comeback – it’s a redefinition.
It proves that Aly & AJ are not relics of the past, but artists who continue to evolve and challenge the industry’s narrow expectations. Their music is no longer just for those who danced to “Rush” in their childhood bedrooms; it’s for anyone searching for authenticity, resilience, and the courage to embrace change.
I wanna know what it feels like
I wanna know what it feels like
To let beauty fade, well,
that’s okay, I’m not afraid
I wanna know what it feels like
As “Silver Deliverer” approaches, “What It Feels Like” sets a powerful precedent. If this track is any indication, Aly & AJ are not only stepping into their own – they’re demanding their rightful place in the music world, on their own terms. And for those who have followed their journey, that feels like something worth celebrating.
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“What It Feels Like” – Aly & AJ
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© Stephen Ringer
© Stephen Ringer
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