Although born and raised on South Africa's Sunshine Coast, Luke Beling left home at 19 to travel the world. He settled on the Big Island of Hawaii, and now crafts luscious folk-inspired pop in the shadow of Mauna Kea. His warm vocal tone and introspective lyrics offer an abiding sense of hope while whispering of a joy blown in by the wild wind.

"Pacific" is his last single of the year, and exposes an intimate look at the role that this majestic ocean plays in his personal life: as both inspiration and gentle overlord. We were immediately impressed by the quality of this track, with a softly murmuring acoustic guitar that ebbs and flows like the ocean's own tides while a subtle yet rich sonic tapestry unfolds with the help of a gorgeous string arrangement and some orchestral percussion. After being graced with layers of ethereal vocal harmony, "Pacific" finishes with a dynamic catharsis that blends elements of electronica and alt folk in a way that feels both organic and spiritual.

Well I left my shores one month ago I was sailing across the blue
The waters teemed with violent storms to send my boat untrue
Atlantic bound I was no more Indian a far off thought
The wind and waves crushed my bones settling a ten-year score
Pacific why do you hold me
Why do you keep me to a war or a crime
Pacific why don't you lose me
Into your night

Now apart from silver stars at dark I could not tell my way
For it seemed as though by the light of dawn the sky would turn to grey
Don’t you let that boy see the sun lest he find his path
I have him now for myself a pill unto my wrath
Pacific why do you hold me
Why do you keep me to a war or a crime
Pacific why don't you lose me
Into your night

I’m not sure if it was prophecy or a kind of Freudian slip when I wrote “Pacific”. Ten years later she still has my heart and I’m still wading in her waters. — Luke Beling

Visit Luke Beling on Instagram.