When we received the material for “Gone,” the new single by India Shawn, what stood out most at first was the powerful and defining way she describes the meaning behind it. The track was born to be an anthem dedicated to empowerment and emotional freedom. Written with D’Mile, Bianca “Blush” Atterbery, and Jean Baptiste Kouame, the song recaptures India’s signature style with honest, catchy, and deeply human lyrics.
According to India, “Gone” isn’t just about someone leaving; it’s about what you gain in their absence. You gain peace, clarity, and strength. “This song is about being more than okay alone—it’s about finally feeling powerful in it (…) It’s me learning that being alone isn’t lonely when you’re finally honest about what you deserve,” she assures.
Written in that moment when you stop trying to fix something that’s hurting you and choose yourself over everything, the song is a bet to break out India’s own style. She needed the song to be more than just a cool track; it had to feel like a real anthem you can play when you decide to walk away without looking back.
Produced by Oscar® and Grammy® winner D’Mile and engineered by John Kercy, “Gone” is a nuanced production with surf guitars, whistling, handclaps, and a piano solo that symbolizes the exact moment when one regains one’s center. It’s a piece that sounds light and expansive, yet is charged with an emotional clarity that invites one to let go of what no longer serves.
David Maxwell directed the accompanying video and features a neo-Western aesthetic that combines cinematic spaciousness with the elegance of soul-pop. The camera follows India on a visual journey that embodies the power of being reborn alone, with an irresistible blend of glamour and authenticity.
Currently, India Shawn is touring alongside Free Nationals and Giveon, cementing her place as one of the most inspiring voices of modern soul.
