Song Premiere: Hibou’s ‘Black Mirror’-Inspired “Junipero Love”

The Seattle indie pop songwriter gets lost in dreamy sound on a new track from ‘Something Familiar.’

As the lone ray of light in the technological darkness that is Netflix’s sci-fi anthology Black Mirror, the Emmy-winning episode “San Junipero” captured the heart of fans and critics alike with its soft, simulated reality lesbian love story. Count Hibou’s Peter Michel among the adoring masses.

“[“San Junipero”] was one of the best love stories I had ever heard,” said Michel. “The contrast between the two worlds hit very close to home for me, as I often feel torn between a conscious state and losing a hold of my memories and who I am. The episode dealt a lot with how scary it is to commit yourself to love and transition which I think is quite beautiful. Patience, dedication, and purity, are outgoing themes throughout the story and those are things that now more than ever I am finding solace in.”

So naturally, the indie pop singer-songwriter turned his feelings into song. “Junipero Love” idyllically distills the warm dreaminess of the San Junipero’s digital beaches. The second track from Something Familar—Hibou’s upcoming album on Barsuk Records (out March 2)—finds Michel singing the chorus with the tone of an endearing lovestruck sigh (“Junipero love, will you trust me me if I prove you wrong? / It could take some time if your heaven is gone.”) over breezy and playful guitar lines and cozy synth swells.

Hear “Junipero Love” live when Hibou plays Neumos on Thur., March 8 for Something Familar’s album release show.

Hibou (aka Peter Michel). Photo by Luca Venter

Hibou (aka Peter Michel). Photo by Luca Venter