Even in its unfinished state, all Pharrell could say about Maggie Roger‘s new song was “wow.” 

Maggie’s latest song, Alaska, has the makings of what will sure to be be a viral hit—and it’s not even finished yet.

However, that’s what makes this moment intriguing.

Maggie Rogers is a student at The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University. She has three previously released albums available on her website. Clearly she has spent years engaged in the music profession, but as she explains in this) video, she stopped making “straight ahead folk music.”

As she possesses talent with folk music roots she would certainly be capable becoming a folk musician,  but instead took some time for herself and discovered dance music, something she was not formerly familiar with.

Many times, we seek environments where we have the capacity to thrive.

Sometimes, it is in the spaces that are toughest for us to endure that we find more of ourselves. We discover we are more interestingly layered than we were before.

This interconnected nature of interest is what makes us all unique.

In Pharrell’s interview with Maggie Rogers, he mentions that each student has this innate capacity. But I wonder if other students lack the changes in their lives that Maggie endured, and if they’re willing to try.

Pharrell says,“You need to seek.”

My greedy self wants to buy the song, buy the album, download and stream it on repeat for days, but it’s not done yet.

This video shows an artist in the midst of change with unfinished work.

I wonder how the viral response to Maggie’s song, Alaska will influence the climax of the song. I’m eager to find out and I’m thankful for the chance to see such an amazing work in progress.

By the time Maggie Rogers releases this song, I’m sure millions will know her name.

Check out Alaska by Maggie Roger’s: her clip at begins at 18:20 of the video. Enjoy.

Author: Bill Shrum

Editors: Ashleigh Hitchcock / Renée Picard

Photo: video still