Awaywhere has never been positioned as a conventional music project, and ‘New Misty Morning’ makes that clear almost immediately. Created by visual artist and musician Justin Kleiner, the project exists as part of a wider imaginary universe, but this latest single works just as well on its own terms. It’s a bright, detailed piece of electronic pop built around movement, curiosity and the thrill of entering unfamiliar surroundings.
Featuring Argentinian vocalist Lucy Rod, the track balances accessibility with a more experimental edge. Her performance provides the emotional centre, but it’s also treated as part of the production itself, with harmonies, clipped phrases and altered vocal fragments woven through the arrangement. It’s an approach that gives the song a fluid quality, as though the voice is constantly shifting between foreground and atmosphere.
The production follows the same logic, as glitchy details and electronic textures give ‘New Misty Morning’ plenty of character, but the track never becomes cold or overly technical. There’s warmth in the melodies and a real sense of uplift in the rhythm, which helps the more intricate elements feel playful rather than just distracting.
Lyrically and conceptually, the song is concerned with the feeling of arriving somewhere new and allowing yourself to experience it without too much explanation. That sense of discovery fits naturally with the broader Awaywhere idea, where music, animation, illustration and storytelling are all designed to connect within the same evolving world.
But what is most encouraging is how easily the track avoids becoming dependent on that wider concept. Even without the visual context, the song still carries a clear emotional direction. It feels open, colourful and slightly strange in a way that suits its subject perfectly.
As an introduction to the more pop-oriented side of Awaywhere, ‘New Misty Morning’ is an effective one. Thoughtful in its construction but light on its feet, it shows Justin Kleiner finding a useful balance between experimentation and immediacy, while Lucy Rod’s vocal performance gives the track much of its charm and personality.
