Michellar is not a new name to those who follow the heartbeat of soulful storytelling, but her latest album, “REVERIE ….FROM THEN TILL NOW,” feels like a definitive introduction to an artist who has finally stepped into her light. Released on January 2, 2026, this eleven track collection is more than just an hour of music; it is a sonic bridge connecting decades of silence to a present day roar of creativity.
The journey to this album is as compelling as the melodies themselves. Raised in a household of nine siblings, Michellar was immersed in the folk traditions of the 1970s. Her early influences read like a hall of fame roster, includingPeter, Paul and Mary, James Taylor, Carole King, and Bob Dylan. These roots were further enriched by the Latin rhythms of Xavier Cugat and Jose Feliciano, alongside the grand narratives of classic musicals.
By age nine, she was playing guitar; by fifteen, she was writing her own songs. However, life often demands a detour. For twenty five years, Michellar channeled her vision into landscape architecture and fine art, building a successful business while her musical voice waited in the wings.
The catalyst for her return was a childhood wish fulfilled: an exhibition at the de Young Museum. In July 2023, shortly after that milestone, the songs began to return. Michellar describes this period as a frantic race to catch up on lost time, yet the substance of these songs proves the years were not wasted. They were simply building depth.
Collaborating with producer Tobias Wilson, Michellar has crafted a landscape that effortlessly blends Alternative Rock, Americana, and Indie Folk. Wilson’s patient guidance from Staffordshire, UK, paired with Michellar’s San Francisco recordings, has resulted in a sound that is both international and intimately personal. The title track, Reverie, captures this perfectly. It is a song born from a place of safety and self-acceptance. Michellar’s soprano vocals, once a staple of glee clubs and choirs, now carry the weight of experience.
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The album offers a variety of textures, from the soothing acoustic foundations of The Letter and The Promise to the more expansive energy found in Running Wild. Each track feels like a diary entry that the world was finally ready to read. There is a sense of peace that permeates the record, a quiet confidence that only comes when an artist stops trying to prove themselves and starts simply being. Perhaps the most moving element of this release is the spiritual presence of Michellar’s late mother.
Throughout the recording process, the artist recalled the words of the woman who first believed in her talent. Her mother used to say that if she put her heart and soul into her work, she could have the entire world in her hands. This album is the manifestation of that belief. Michellar has indeed put her soul into this project, and the result is a beautiful, necessary reminder that creative purpose has no expiration date. It is a dream realized, a reverie that has finally found its way home.
