Local singer-songwriter Kelsey Arsenault’s debut single ‘Branches’ hits streaming services today. It’s a folky, jazz-infused, track that takes inspiration from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar. With inspiration like that, it should come as no surprise when I say it packs some serious emotion.

At it’s core, ‘Branches"‘ is a song about decision and consequence: “Making plans I’ll never see,” Arsenault sings, “cause all of the branches have something for me.” It’s very relatable; who hasn’t wondered where they might have ended up had they turned left instead of right? There may be no more universal experience than the angst that comes with making a big decision.

That said, adding ‘Branches’ to my NL Playlist, was no big decision at all — it’s beautiful and I want to hear it again and again.

Check it out.

And keep your ears open for more new music, Aresnault’s album Gallery Walls is due later this summer.

Listen to a whole lot of other great music from Newfoundland and Labrador on the NL Mixtape.