There’s something quietly breathtaking about Audrey Saparno’s new single, “HERON SO BLUE.” It’s a soft and graceful release, landing like a bird on still water before sending ripples outward that can last a lifetime in the soul.
The tune comes from a songwriting prompt about creatures, crafted during a spontaneous co-writing session with Chris Devlin at the Toronto Songwriting School. And Saparno’s creature of choice? The Blue Heron is perfect in its simple elegance. She first glimpsed the majestic bird while paddling along a river, its fluid, effortless flight awakening something deep within her. Now, she’s captured that soul-stirring moment in song. “HERON SO BLUE” is a meditative and soaring tapestry of sound as delicate as the fine feathers of its namesake. “HERON SO BLUE” is more than just a track, though. It’s a family affair through and through. Saparno’s nephew, Ajmal Saparno, gifts the tune with his liquid saxophone tones, a gentle jazzy undercurrent like the heron’s wings rippling through the morning mist. Then there are the ethereal harmonies of Saparno’s nieces, Nesia and Nadhirah Saparno. Their high voices hush the world down to hear more, the quiet awe of early dawn in harmony form.
What sets “HERON SO BLUE” apart from the rest of the family is its stillness. It doesn’t demand attention, it invites it. Saparno’s gentle, sincere voice leads the way, and the track ambles its way along like a meander through soft early morning sunlight. This is the track you’d play while staring out over some body of water or watching the clouds drift by. This is the audio equivalent of a warm, quiet hug of awe.
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