Eli Smart's "AM to PM" is a sunset made melodic

Kauai, Hawaii born and raised, Eli Smart has been making waves in the UK with his charming self-described “aloha soul” sound. His unique musicality is drawn from the psychedelic sounds of Jimi Hendrix, the rock n’ roll of The Beatles, and the soul of Gladys Knight, coming together with his own vibrant lo-fi twist.

His newest release, "AM to PM", embodies this original sun-soaked sound, while Smart’s vision was brought to life as he joined forces with acclaimed producer Gianluca Buccellati (Arlo Parks). The result is a track so captivating that each listen will have you fanning your face as if you were on a scorching summer beach; close your eyes and you can picture the mirage on the horizon, even though we’re only just on the cusp of Spring.

“This tune is about cruising around Kauai from sunrise until the early hours of the next morning. Sometimes it gets so hot here that it feels like the sun is casting a lethargic spell upon everything and the only cure is jumping in the water or waiting until the sun goes down,” Eli offers into the inspiration his native home lent to the track.

Creating a gorgeously hazy ambience, “AM to PM” perfectly captures the aforementioned island mentality and his approach to the journey of each day. His vocals recall greeting the morning sun with a sleepy smile and stretch, while the unhurried rhythm and chilled guitar line mirror how the day gradually transitions to evening.

“This song is meant to soundtrack the transition from the AM sun-baked state of mind through the magic shift to PM when the full moon comes up and the stars start to do their thing. It’s a beautiful cycle that happens almost on the daily, it can put you into a cosy almost limbo-like state of mind that can be sometimes hard to get out of, but there’s an absolute comfort in the whole thing. It’s ok sometimes to accept the flow and let yourself float downstream. This tune is for that feeling wherever you are and however you feel it.”