[as seen on The Grey Estates]

It's not exactly a secret that heartbreak can be devastating, and somehow in the midst of rediscovering one's self, June Gloom aka Tall Friend's Jesse Paller found something beautiful. The song recounts the decision to escape, and hoping that a trip to the West Coast will provide distance and healing. It's a track of subtlety and softness, Paller using only his warm, but weary vocals to reveal an innermost struggle. Guitars are the only instrumental backing, repetitious patterns weaving their own paths that somehow meet in the middle. The track is as equally moving as its subject matter, its quiet nature making for a musical moment that feels so intimate. We've all unfortunately experienced the period of darkness that follows a broken heart, and although it can often leave us reeling, unsure of whether we'll ever be whole again, "California" provides a small glimmer of hope, a reminder that we're not alone in this struggle.