Pop Artist CARA Releases Official “TEARS” Music Video
When the first notes of CARA’s new single “TEARS” hit streaming platforms, it was clear that this was not just another pop song vying for industry attention. Instead, it is a work born of grief and creative vision, combined into a sound that is both vulnerable and powerful. Released earlier this summer, “TEARS” represents the second chapter in CARA’s upcoming concept album The Kronicles, and its recent music video debut solidifies the track as a defining moment in her career.
The visuals for “TEARS” feel cinematic in scope. Directed by Hiatt Films, colored by Benjamin Farren, edited by Darwin of Darwin World Media, and produced by Nick Hrisomalos, the video depicts CARA blasting off into outer space, her presence as magnetic as the galaxies she floats through. The star imagery is aesthetic, but it also reflects her lyrics:
“Tears here they are / They lookin’ like stars / Take me to Mars / Bangin’ out these bars.”
Dressed in a series of ethereal outfits, CARA channels her emotions into song while maintaining an otherworldly elegance. This contrast reflects CARA’s identity as an artist who is grounded in personal truth but unafraid to dream big. More specifically, the origins of “TEARS” trace back to Corpus Christi, Texas, where CARA grew up and first fell in love with music. It was there she honed her vocal skills and mastered the flute, an instrument that continues to make appearances in her music, setting her apart in mainstream pop. But her return to her hometown was under tragic circumstances: the loss of two close family members.
On a rainy day, weighed down by grief, CARA began writing what would become “TEARS.” The song emerged as a release and a reflection, a way to sit with the questions that loss inevitably raises. “Why do we work so hard, only to lose the people we love?” is one of the quiet refrains embedded in her work. And “TEARS” does not rush to answer it. Instead, it offers space to feel. Recorded at the renowned Orb Studios in Austin, the track features pop hooks with trap beats, placing CARA’s unique vocals at the center. She served as sole writer and executive producer of the song, a reflection of her uncompromising creative control.
“TEARS” is the follow-up to “BLVD,” CARA’s breakout single that made her the second most-played independent artist on Mediabase’s Top 40 Pop charts. But while “BLVD” celebrated the electric spirit of Los Angeles, “TEARS” strips away the city lights to expose the rawer, quieter moments of her life story. The two songs together show the emotional range of The Kronicles, which CARA has described as a memoir in musical form. Each track is a chapter in her life, from chasing dreams in a city of opportunity to grappling with loss. In the “BLVD” music video, CARA danced through LA’s iconic landmarks: the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood Sign, neon-lit clubs. In “TEARS,” however, she travels somewhere less familiar, into the infinite expanse of space. It is a leap that suggests her willingness to go beyond earthly terrain, both creatively and emotionally.
The reception to “TEARS” has been strong. The song is currently at #47 on the Mediabase Top 40 Pop Chart, while CARA is ranked #6 on the Mediabase Top 40 Independent Artist Rankings. This means she is charting alongside industry heavyweights like the Jonas Brothers, Calvin Harris, and MGK. For an independent artist without major label backing, such numbers signal talent and her ability to navigate the music business strategically. CARA’s rise is particularly striking given the realities of being an independent artist running her own independent label. She oversees every detail, from songwriting to visual direction, ensuring her work remains authentic.
Set for release in 2026, The Kronicles will be CARA’s most ambitious project yet. Conceptually, it is designed as a chronological journey through her life, bringing together themes like ambition, loss, grief, and empowerment. Furthermore, another one of the album’s standout tracks is “CARA KUSH,” a collaboration with the late Gangsta Boo of Three 6 Mafia. This is a meeting of two worlds: CARA’s trap-pop and Gangsta Boo’s unique rap talents. Their friendship even extended outside the studio, and the track is a testament to female empowerment in male-dominated spaces, whether in hip-hop or the cannabis industry, where CARA has also made a name for herself.
Away from the microphone, CARA finds grounding in simple joys, most notably her two dogs, East and Hazel. She often refers to them as her children, caring for them with the same devotion she brings to her music. This balance between personal and professional life is part of what keeps her centered amid the pressures of a rising career. Still, the work never really stops. With “TEARS” gaining momentum and The Kronicles coming soon, CARA is constantly thinking about her next move.
As “TEARS” continues to climb the charts, the anticipation for The Kronicles is growing. For fans, the August 12th music video release is a preview of the immersive songwriting to come. With The Kronicles on the way, it feels like CARA is just beginning a journey that might very well rewrite what it means to be an independent pop artist in 2025.
Watch the official “TEARS” music video, now streaming on YouTube.
Follow CARA’s journey and updates on The Kronicles at officialcara.com and on her social platforms.
- Photo credit: Sarah Orbanich @sarahorbanicphotos
- PR: NOW PR AGENCY @nowprla