Toronto-based singer-songwriter Tara Van takes the latter approach on “Miles On It,” a dreamy, soul-infused release that finds beauty in the things that never last. Built around nostalgia, impermanence, and the memories we collect along the way, the track turns a bittersweet realization into something surprisingly comforting. Van celebrates the fact that we got to experience it in the first place.
The song draws you in with thumping beats, soft strummed guitar, and a spacey, immersive atmosphere that feels tailor-made for a quiet drive with the windows down. Van’s voice is soft yet resonant, carrying an understated strength through her controlled, effortless delivery. There’s a natural warmth in her performance that makes every line feel intimate. Meanwhile, the catchy, steadily chugging rhythm keeps things moving, giving the track an easygoing groove that makes you want to return to it whenever the mood strikes. Subtle electronic layers add a floating, otherworldly touch, expanding the sound without crowding its simplicity.
At its heart, “Miles On It” reflects on the passing of time and the inevitable end of things we once treasured. Its recurring refrain about having put miles on something becomes a charming metaphor for the relationships, familiar places, old cars, and fleeting moments that leave their mark on us. Even when the lyrics turn toward love that might have been, the song resists sinking into regret. After all, not everything has to last forever to have mattered.
That optimistic perspective gives Van’s songwriting its quiet power. Her collaboration with producer and co-writer Mark Calderone feels especially well suited to the track, with his guitar work and layered electronic production creating a rich sound from remarkably restrained ingredients. Inspired in part by the laid-back, rolling feel of Khruangbin and Leon Bridges’ “Texas Sun,” the arrangement strikes a lovely balance between soulful warmth and hazy modern textures.
“Miles On It” is a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate what we have while it’s here. Relaxed, catchy, and moving, it makes impermanence feel less like a loss and more like a life well lived.
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Review by: Naomi Joan