Clear Mortifee in a haven of houseplants; photographed by Fabiola Dieuve.

The weight of the world inspires the human spirit to reach for a greater state of grace, affirmation and elevated echelon of being. From the noise of the social feeds, the histrionic echo chambers of 24 hour news cycle banter, the inconvenient transgressions and truths of the previous generations, the challenges of contemporary activism versus the adversity of the irrelevant and obsolete guards and gatekeepers of crumbling antiquated and toxic institutions, the battles for building back a better social/civic/ecological/economic consciousness and everything in between — we are forever seeking that higher ground and greater level of existence. From self-care routines that guide us to live and speak our truths, showing kindness to others and fostering more inclusive international environments and communities; the current progressive moment of activism and art works to create a greater celestial and spiritual space for others, ourselves and everybody/everything in between here on our shared material plane of existence.

Embracing these acts of ascension, transformation, rebirth and more is the emergence of a shining new star and visionary aesthete. Chronicling the Oakland-based artist Clear Mortifee’s non-binary and geographical transitions from their home in Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles, before arriving at the prolific hotbed of the Bay Area; they deliver a sinewy cycle of new school r&b vibes with the second installment of their expressive and enchanted EP series Fairies: Vol II via AntiFragile Music. From a life long infatuation with the mystic power of music, Clear made a name for themselves with their album debut of panaceas and passions with Medicines before embarking upon a journey full of pain and the personal rapture of divorce and gender fluid discoveries. Embracing the unrelenting epiphanies and ecstasy of identity, Mortifee enlisted fellow collaborators Teddy Roxpin and Smile High along with other guests to create a intoxicating art piece of magic realism and beauty amid the modern age consumed by the malaise of incessant madness.

Fairies: Act II turns the weary wasteland of planet earth into a place of pleasure and sensational wonder. After dark dalliances between the sheets permeate the sensuous "M@n Like That" is a frisky romp that blends carnal delights featuring some bombastic buoyancy provided by OSHUN. Desires and more percolate and boil like the hot rapidly moving water bubbles in a tea kettle, delivered with the sticky viscosity of raw, localized syrupy drips of honey. Movements revolving around claiming identity and trading pronouns provides some potent and playful word trickery intertwined with swirling imagery of interpersonal experiences, chronicling the chrysalis of growth on "C Shells". The saccharine surrender to decadence and divulgences of pleasures, pains and intricate histories on the neck biting “Teeth” offers a swiftly swaying ode to oral and addictive fixations aplenty. “Honey Boy” is the sound of luscious perfumed wax melted and puréed into a golden mezze of narcotic resins that gallantly glimmers and glows like a voyage of illumination inside an extravagant den of emeralds. The second act of Fairies closes with the blissful liberation of “Free Spirit”, duetting with Louisville powerhouse Otis Junior in praise of fresh starts, new beginnings and the endorphin rush of embarking upon the blank slates of the life chapters that have yet to be written.

The video debut for “Honey Boy” represents a perfect visual adaptation of Clear Mortifee’s expressive and immersive sound tapestries. Directed by Oakland performer/community organizer/visual artist/performer/curator AroMa, the self-taught filmmaker behind the musical film short ZoomBug delivers a glamorous and opulent aesthetic in their mission of uplifting marginalized voices through captivating experiences and creative exploration, by way of embracing multidisciplinary arts to make space for themself and others. Delving into the realms of the surreal and illustrious ignites the concepts of potential new dimensions in efforts to provide some shine on current issues and interests of note. Mortifee maneuvers about an exquisite space of mirrors and honeycomb shaped reflective surfaces in a ceremony to celebrate their truth, discarding the baggage and appendages of pretenses into a calm and kinetic catharsis. Clear raises a glass to leaning into learning more about the self, an ode to opening up the spirit and body to accept and receive revelations that offer new, never before experienced aspects of living a life that is true, honest, emotional, erotic, abundant and perhaps even infinite. Clear Mortifiee provided us with the following candid introduction to the song:

The true story of when I met and fell in love with the first person to ever call me his boyfriend. I think he saw me before anyone else did — and even before I could fully see myself. He would call me honey boy.

The cool, calm and collected styles of Clear Mortifee; photographed by Megan Danso.

Clear Mortifee share some privy insights on realizations, transformations, transitions, creative developments and more via the following insights:

The Fairies: Act II EP encompasses a monumental turning point in my life, as I tap into who I really am and how I really want to feel — instead of just what I thought would be most rewarded by others. My gender transition is an obvious external reflection of this multifaceted internal journey and the “Honey Boy” visual documents this moment in both my body and soul's evolution.

Coasting on a new cosmic constellation with Clear Mortifee; photographed by Sophia A.

The audio recordings on the EP are a snap-shot of what my voice sounded like pre-testosterone, never to return again now that my vocal range has dropped by an octave in the past year. I now perform these songs in a totally different key. It's remarkable to look back on the last few years and see where I'm at now, and how happy I feel embodying my truer self. In my career 'as a woman' leading up to this point, it always felt like something just wasn't clicking...but now that I'm here, I see what was the missing link.

The focuses and fashions of Clear Mortifee; photographed by Sophia A.

I'm grateful to be sharing these pieces of myself through my music and art, and hope that by doing so, others will be able to give themselves more grace and space to claim what they really want for their own lives.

Clear Mortifee's new EP Fairies: Act II is available now via AntiFragile Music.

PREMIERE | Clear Mortifee, "Honey Boy"