She

Aaradhna , Music Video – 2023

Aaradhna Jayantilal Patel hit number one in 2004 with her debut single 'Getting Stronger', a collaboration with R&B duo Adeaze. After four albums she took a career break; 'She' is her first track since 2016. The song and video are directly inspired by Aaradhna's Indian heritage. 'She' opens with birdsong and xylophone before her multi-tracked vocal drops, summoning her ancestors. Director Anahera Parata paints in light and shade; Aaradhna is a bejewelled warrior princess, cradling a traditional weapon and held aloft in a nocturnal ceremony. 'She' was named Best Video at both the Aotearoa and Pacific Music Awards.

I just really wanted to take ownership for everything to do with my craft, like the music especially ... I just taught myself to play a few more chords and I got into recording everything from scratch and bringing it together with my band and putting the skin on the skeleton. I really wanted it to feel like you're feeling me. I feel like I've accomplished that with this new music. I'm the most me-est I can be with this music.
– Aaradhna on taking a break to work on her craft, Radio New Zealand, 17 November 2023