Bethany Cosentino - 'For A Moment'
The newest song from her debut album, Bethany Cosentino’s ‘For A Moment’ reflects on the importance of jumping wholeheartedly into love, life and everything that comes along the way.
A gorgeous track that takes all the glow from the 90s folk pop sound and pairs it with poetic lyricism and songwriting, Bethany Cosentino’s latest release builds even more anticipation ahead of her debut solo album set to release at the end of this month. Formerly known for being a part of the band Best Coast, Bethany’s musical career has seen her go from playing coachella where she trailered alongside Wiz Khalifa to now releasing her own music on her terms. She has long used her platform to foster a community built on uplifting others and recognising the fragility and beauty in life, something which her album Natural Disaster seeks to explore. For this track, she explained that the process of songwriting and being in the studio was really fluid and brought her lots of catharsis.
‘I was laying in bed thinking about how quickly it can all be gone and how important it is to lean into love and vulnerability while we're here. As the world changes, moments of joy mean more now than ever before even if they only last for a moment no holding back on this one literally and figuratively‘
Opening with a warm guitar line and hints of tambourine, ‘For A Moment’ immediately brings about a sense of summer nostalgia. The track allows for Cosentino to really show off her musicality; full of rich harmonies, swelling instrumentation and some of her best vocals to date, its a triumph that would make anyone excited to hear more. There are stunning mandolin and pedal steel melodies peppered throughout, something Cosentino was very excited about-the track came about during a writing trip in Nashville and the folk and country influence on her songwriting shines through the first verse and chorus.
‘If nothing’s guaranteed, then whats the point of doing anything? And whats the point of loving anyone and feeling things like faith and holding on? If nothings guaranteed, why would I want to promise you tonight that everything is gonna be alright, that things always get better when we try?’
Her tone is honeyed and showcases layers of maturity and knowledge beyond her years. As someone who has been in the business for a long time, it is wonderful to see Cosentino open up and really share her voice and intentions with this track. The first few lines lean into the feeling of existential crisis but slowly begin to embrace the madness and chaos that life and all its change has to offer. Whilst undoubtedly scared and weary of the things to come, Cosentino recognises that her endurance and resilience is a symbol of her strength and that her struggles are worth coming through the other side.
‘..my goal is to keep growing and challenging myself and living outside of any kind of box, keeping on evolving as an artist and as a person… it's really scary to take these risks and make the big changes in your life but what you can find inside can be magical’
The release of this track and indeed the album highlights something deeper for Cosentino; she is re-entering the music business a completely different woman to the one that left it years previously. The Bethany fans knew her as has been outgrown and washed away, making space for the one she has long dreamed of becoming. The album, due for release on the 28th via Concord Records has been a project long in the making for Cosentino. In writing it she hopes that others might find their way towards transformation and renewal, just as she has done.
Words by Kirsty-Ann Thomson
