Apryll Aileen Shares “Call Me Anytime,” a Tender Portrait of Family, Distance, and Quiet Devotion

Ahead of showcasing at the East Coast Music Awards later this month where she’s nominated for Dance Release of the Year, Canadian singer-songwriter Apryll Aileen shares “Call Me Anytime,” a warm and uplifting pop/alt-country single that captures the quiet strength of unconditional love across distance. Rooted in storytelling and emotional clarity, the track follows a grandfather supporting his grandson as he leaves home to pursue a rising soccer career, balancing pride, longing, and the enduring promise of connection.

The song is written from the perspective of a grandfather speaking to his grandson as he begins to find success in the Canadian soccer world. Through simple yet deeply resonant lyrics, he reminds him that no matter how far he goes, he is never alone. “Call Me Anytime” becomes both a message and a mantra; a steady reassurance that love remains constant, even as life pulls people in different directions. The song has already been added to four Apple Music editorial playlists. That sense of connection extends into the song’s visual world. Filmed in Toronto during JUNO week, the accompanying music video features rising youth soccer talent Malakhai Eaton, one of the top defensive players in the GTA (12 and under). The video captures the emotional tension between ambition and home, reflecting the reality of leaving behind familiarity to chase something bigger, while still holding onto where you came from.

What gives the release its grounding is the way it treats distance not as absence, but as a different form of presence. The song resists dramatizing separation, instead focusing on the ongoing thread that holds families together even when geography intervenes. In that sense, the message of “Call Me Anytime” is less about longing and more about continuity, the quiet assurance that support does not diminish with time or space.

The creative process behind the song unfolded organically. “I was actually on a flight to the UK when I heard the chorus melody in my head,” Apryll shares. “I didn’t want to lose it, so I recorded a voice note right there in my seat. As soon as the plane touched down, I grabbed my friend’s guitar and the song grew naturally from there; it wrote itself.” The track was later brought to life in collaboration with UK-based producer Danny Lafrombe, blending simplicity with dynamic shifts that mirror the emotional arc of the story.

Apryll co-wrote the lyrics with her friend Bill Eaton who wanted to gift it to his grandson Malakhai for Christmas. From there, it turned into something the pair wanted to share with the world so other families could resonate with it. Apryll also has a hidden art skill - she has recently found a meditative peace in painting so she decided to paint the cover art above. While filming on set, she gifted him the painting, so he could have a visual reminder to remember the love of his family.

There is a quiet serendipity threaded through the project, particularly in the unexpected connections that surfaced during filming. One of the most memorable moments came while traveling between locations, when 11-year-old Malakhai played “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, a song that had subconsciously influenced Apryll during the writing process. “Keep in mind I had never met Malakhai until we filmed the video. This alone is mind boggling to me. I’m not sure which one of us felt the call to ‘Fast Car’ first, but I think we were successful in capturing part of its intimate, raw, narrative essence and driving yet slightly melancholic rhythm.”

Sonically, “Call Me Anytime” blends contemporary pop sensibilities with alternative country warmth and singer-songwriter intimacy. Built on accessible chord progressions and a melody designed to be shared, the track invites listeners to make it their own; a song meant to be sung to loved ones, wherever they may be.

Apryll Aileen is a classically trained pianist turned dynamic pop artist whose music blends emotional depth with cinematic storytelling. Drawing influence from the introspection of Madonna’s Ray of Light, the vocal power of Adele, and the dark romanticism of Lana Del Rey, her work creates a rich, immersive listening experience rooted in vulnerability and connection.

Her recent single “Under My Tree” gained significant traction after being featured in the season premiere of Hallmark’s Mistletoe Murders, earning thousands of Shazams and placements on major editorial playlists including Apple Music’s A Very Canadian Christmas and Spotify’s Christmas in Canada. Her previous release “Take Me” received multiple award nominations, further cementing her growing presence in the Canadian music landscape.

With “Call Me Anytime,” Apryll Aileen continues to expand her storytelling, offering a song that speaks to family, distance, and the quiet, powerful ways we show up for one another. It’s a reminder that even as life moves forward, some connections remain constant; just a phone call away.