Melbourne singer-songwriter HAILEY J turns the struggle for control into a lesson in surrender on “DRIVE,” a 70s-inspired blend of retro pop, R&B, and soul that pairs vintage sensibilities with a message for an increasingly restless world.
Drawing from the musical traditions of Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire, alongside contemporary vocal influences like Tori Kelly and Jazmine Sullivan, the 21-year-old independent artist is interested in making familiar sounds speak to modern anxieties. On “DRIVE,” that means examining the impulse to manage every outcome, even when circumstances refuse to cooperate. Its central metaphor, trying to drive from the backseat, captures the absurdity of wanting control without having a meaningful hand on the wheel.
It is a relatable premise, but one that depends on execution to avoid becoming another uncomplicated lesson in personal growth. HAILEY J’s retro-minded approach gives the idea a natural home. The track’s warm, sunlit groove offers a counterpoint to its underlying tension, suggesting that acceptance need not arrive through dramatic revelation. Sometimes, the shift begins with learning to sit comfortably in uncertainty.
That contrast is where “DRIVE” finds its strongest artistic footing. Rather than treating nostalgia as an end in itself, HAILEY J uses a vintage palette to frame a distinctly contemporary concern: the pressure to have life mapped out, especially when the future remains stubbornly unpredictable. Her work as a songwriter and co-producer also points toward an artist interested in shaping her own musical identity, rather than simply recreating the sounds that inspire her.
Still, the song’s central idea carries a risk. A metaphor this immediately accessible can lose its complexity if the writing settles too quickly on its takeaway. The most compelling version of “DRIVE” would leave room for the discomfort of letting go, not just the relief that follows. The tension between those two feelings could give its message greater emotional weight.
Even so, HAILEY J’s commitment to connecting groove with genuine reflection offers a promising foundation. “DRIVE” makes a case for retro soul as more than a stylistic revival: it can be a way to approach familiar human problems without losing the pleasure of the music itself. For an emerging independent artist, that balance matters. The next step is to push beyond a sound that feels inviting and a message that feels familiar, toward the kind of specific, personal songwriting that makes both unforgettable.
Featured Image: Artist Supplied
