TIME MACHINES AND PERSISTENT EMBERS

Blonde hair like a lit fuse. Jaw sharp enough to cut through the noise. This kid stares straight down the lens like he's daring the whole world to blink first — and it won't.

That emerald overcoat? Suburban camouflage set on fire. Black crewneck underneath, no logo, no apology. Chains stacked at his throat, a gothic cross swinging from one ear like a warning bell. Silver rings that have thrown a punch or two. A red wrist strap tied on like a badge for the walking wounded.

The light's got no mercy — half shadow, half spotlight, all attitude. It carves him out of the dark like a headline nobody wants to read but everybody remembers.

He's not posing. He's holding the line.

Reshooting this iconic photo from the Pretty Faces era felt like stepping into a time machine set to 2013-2014. Back then, everything felt raw, exciting, and drenched in the glow of discovery. Post-"Crowd Nine," my first single, there was this whirlwind of emotions that shaped both me and the music. This photo, originally captured in such a fleeting yet significant moment, represented so much more than an era—it held the whispers of dreams, the weight of self-doubt, and the spark of resilience.

Original, 2013

The decision to recreate that moment years later came from a place of reflection. Minimalist in approach and stripped of unnecessary distractions, I wanted the new photo to narrate how much had changed yet stayed the same. I worked closely with the photographer to maintain the essence of the original—the light, the pose, the emotion—while infusing it with the strength I’ve found in my artistic evolution. Revisiting this memory was a gentle reminder that even as the years and experiences mold us, some parts of our core remain intact, glowing like a persistent ember.

-Mitchell