It’s been a big year for Halle Bailey. The singer/actress broke away from her sister act Chloe X Halle to make her big screen debut in Disney’s live-action adaptation of their animated classic The Little Mermaid much to the delight of Black girls everywhere. She also lined up a role in the upcoming movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple (though that might move from its Christmas 2023 release date due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes). Music still remains her first love, however, and she’s showing that by making a splash with her debut solo single “Angel.”
“Angel” is a triumphant debut for Halle, with her using her spotlight to give some shine to the beauty and complexities that Black women the world over possess. Teaming with producer Ron “Neff-U” Feemster, Halle offers an epic, piano-driven ballad for every brown-skinned girl who might doubt her power.
The honey-voiced singer makes sure to offer encouragement while adjusting the crown atop her sisters’ heads. “Black girl here, Black girl with the Black girl hair / Took a little sunkiss just to look like this / God-sent, you’re an angel,” she sings on the chorus. “Heaven wears your halo / They know you’re an angel.”
The song’s visual continues to emphasize this, with Halle looking regal in sheer, flowing looks adorned in jewels and feathers. She’s surrounded by a troupe of similarly dressed dancers throughout the clip. With a backdrop that looks like clouds taken from a Renaissance-era painting, the women represent multiple hues and multiple modes of beauty.
“Angel” is a fitting debut for a singer who is finally spreading her wings to show what she can offer as a solo artist. Witness Halle take flight when you stream the song and watch its video below.
