Words By: Bre Offenberger

Sister pop duo Aly & AJ are back to make their case as one of the greatest returns to the music scene ever with the release of their newest single “Pretty Places” and an accompanying video. The track — which boasts a seamless blend of indie pop and Kacey Musgraves-esque, feel-good country — is a one-stop shop that’ll fulfill every music need in the book.

The track begins with a subtly zipping guitar line as gentle keys dot the area around it. Aly goes first, trying to convince her significant other they could go anywhere they want and do anything as long as they’re together. She even offers to drive before AJ takes over in the chorus, promising that wherever they take the trip to will alleviate them of all the pain they’re feeling. If the words aren’t persuasive enough, the ethereal synths that come alive in the chorus as well as the constant strum of the simple yet pacifying acoustic guitar will be.

A seafoam green car that coincidentally matches the color of the gas station it’s pulling into arrives opens the video. It begins to flash to the sisters separately — with their respective partners — driving and taking in the view of places all over, bringing their wishes to leave town and have fun to life. The sisters constantly turn back to the camera, which is seemingly being manned by their partner, and smile. They climb buttes, breathe in the ocean water, stroll in beautiful fields — stop everywhere but never for long. After a while, AJ lies in the back of the car with the hood down, letting the wind flow through her hair and embracing the moment. As they promise to their counterpart “All we got is us now,” you long to feel the happiness they’ve achieved. The day falls to night, but even as the music fades out, it’s easy to tell the adventure isn’t going to end anytime soon.

Aly & AJ’s reemergence is one 2021 didn’t know it needed until it happened. Their other two recent singles, “Slow Dancing” and “Listen!!!” have been getting fans excited for their LP that’s expected to drop sometime this year. The sisters also issued two re-recordings — one clean, one explicit — of their anthemic “Potential Breakup Song” due to its popularity on TikTok. Needless to say, Aly & AJ are blessing us with gift after gift, and if their upcoming album bears the same vibes as “Pretty Places,” it’s undoubtedly going to be one of the best of the year.