Some songs come together easily. Others emerge when two people meet at the right place and time, ready to share a story. For Michellar, the San Francisco-based project led by Michelle Bond, “Game of Love” is one of those moments: spontaneous, collaborative, and sparked by a connection strong enough to withstand distance, different cities, and an international production process.
“Game of Love,” featuring Rad Datsun, is much more than a single release. It marks Michellar's move toward a clearer artistic identity, one focused on storytelling, emotional honesty, and a natural evolution of the song. Michelle Bond and Brad Johnson wrote the track during a songwriting retreat in the San Bernardino mountains. It started as a simple idea with a looping backtrack and one question.
This initial concept opened up a playful yet sharp narrative. Bond and Johnson didn’t aim to romanticize anything. They explored the reality of modern relationships: the pursuit, the confusion, and the push-and-pull dynamic. Their chemistry as writers made the process feel effortless. As Michelle describes it, finding someone with her creative energy was rare, refreshing, and meaningful. This collaboration became one of her first significant co-writes in California, and its importance is woven into the song.
“Game of Love” carries a subtle influence from Fleetwood Mac, one of the duo’s shared inspirations throughout the songwriting process. You can sense it in the warm harmonies, the conversational phrasing, and the soft, vintage-leaning texture that grounds the track. Yet Michellar isn’t trying to copy the past. Instead, they bring nostalgia into the present, shaping it into something modern, personal, and distinctly their own.
The recording journey is just as unique as the collaboration itself. Demos were recorded in two cities: San Francisco, where Michelle lives, and Minneapolis, where Johnson is based. Those sessions were sent around the world to Romanian producer Marius Alexandru, who polished the demos into a cohesive track. The physical distance between the contributors added an unexpected atmospheric layer to the song: a sense of longing, disconnection, and movement, yet the final production feels seamless and unified.
What makes “Game of Love” stand out is its intention. Michellar isn't simply offering a catchy single. They are sharing a story crafted with care, empathy, and a creative partnership that truly flourished. The track’s strength lies in that human connection, the kind you can hear as much as feel.
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