Michellar’s newest single, “The Star,” arriving November 28th, 2025, is the kind of song that feels like it has always existed—soft, golden, and glowing from within like a memory you can almost touch. Written by Michelle Bond in San Francisco and brought to life through the thoughtful production and mastering of Toby Wilson in Staffordshire, this collaboration is the latest achievement in a creative partnership that has already yielded more than 25 tracks. But “The Star” carries something particularly special: a nostalgic, heart-centred atmosphere inspired by the folk greats, especially Dan Fogelberg, whose reflective storytelling and homespun warmth echo throughout the track. In a year where Michellar has penned an astonishing 82 songs, this release stands out as her second Christmas-themed offering and one of her most emotionally resonant creations.
At its core, “The Star” is a musical tribute to the simple yet profound rituals that define the holiday season. Many songs aim to capture the sparkle of Christmas, but Michellar approaches the season from a more intimate angle. She focuses not on festivities or spectacle but on the quiet gestures that anchor us—topping the Christmas tree with a star, gathering with loved ones, remembering what it means to feel whole. This focus on the small but meaningful mirrors the poignancy found in classic folk narratives. The star becomes more than decoration; it is a symbol of hope and illumination, a tiny burst of light capable of filling the darker corners of the heart. With this symbolic weight guiding the songwriting, Michellar crafts a composition that radiates simplicity yet strikes with emotional clarity.
The sonic world of “The Star” reflects that intention beautifully. Toby Wilson’s production favours spaciousness over ornamentation, allowing the warmth of Michelle’s melody to rise naturally. This is not a track that aims to overwhelm the listener; instead, its power lies in how gently it settles in. There is a calmness in the arrangement—a soft, steady glow—echoing the atmosphere of a quiet winter evening by a lit tree. One can hear the influence of Dan Fogelberg not through imitation but through sensibility: the emphasis on storytelling, the lingering chords that feel like deep breaths, the melodic arcs that seem to wrap themselves around the listener like a blanket. The decision to keep the production clean, heartfelt, and human honours the spirit of the lyric while strengthening the emotional intent behind every musical choice.
Lyrically, the song captures the tender reflections that surface during the holidays, when family connections and the memories attached to them grow vivid once more. Michellar describes the Season as a reminder of what truly matters—love, closeness, gratitude—and “The Star” channels these ideas with sincerity. Michelle Bond’s writing never leans into sentimentality; rather, she writes from a place of lived experience, acknowledging how easily warmth can be misplaced amid the rush of daily life. When she sings of the star bringing joy, completion, and peace, the sentiment feels real because it comes from reflection, not fantasy. Like all powerful folk songs, “The Star” doesn’t tell listeners what to feel—it guides them back to the feelings they already hold but sometimes forget to reach for.
The story behind the song’s creation further enhances its emotional impact. With demos recorded in San Francisco and production completed across the ocean in the UK, “The Star” is a testament to the power of modern collaboration grounded in old-fashioned sincerity. Despite the physical distance, the artistic connection between Michellar and Toby Wilson is unmistakably close, resulting in a track that feels unified, intentional, and full of heart. Together, they have shaped a piece of music that embodies the meaning of the Season—not through grand messages, but through a gentle reminder that even the smallest gesture of hope can light the way home. And in a time when many crave comfort, “The Star” is a quiet, steady flame, shining warmly for anyone willing to pause and let it guide them.
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