PREMIERE: Shelley Segal Muses On Romance & Religious Oppression In Timely New Tune 'Somebody Like You'

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Shelley Segal has been kicking goals ever since relocating to the United States last year, with the latest feather in her cap coming in the form of rock-tinged new single Somebody Like You.

Heavy in both themes and moments, Somebody Like You is a deeply personal — and rather timely — piece of work that delves into Segal's personal experience of having to end a relationship because of her family's religious beliefs, which, given the current state of affairs in our country, takes on an added meaning for anyone whose love has come under the scrutiny of others.

"When I was 18 years old my family told me I needed to break up with my partner because he wasn't Jewish — in line with our religious traditions," Segal revealed in a statement. "This was an extremely painful experience for me. I am no longer religious but I know that many people still experience this tension between their families, traditions and the person they love for various reasons: religion, race, gender, orientation. The truth is, you cannot help or control who you love. You cannot love someone or stop loving someone just because that is expected of you."

"I know how it feels to be told who you should love and how you should love and it's absolutely heartbreaking…having this kind of debate publicly has brought up a lot of pain and abuse for LGBTQI+ Australians; for our families and friends, and it should never have been allowed," she added.

In addition to the single's release, Segal is currently shoring up plans to tour the US in the near future, having already made considerable headway in the market; she even recently secured a sync deal with Emmy-winning series Venice.

She's got ideas of heading back Down Under at some stage soon too, an experience at which fans can expect to hear "lots of stories".

"Maybe even a bit of the shiny sheen of shameless LA pop will make it back over the Pacific with me," she said. "We'll see!"

Somebody Like You will be released this Friday, 27 October. Keep on top of what Segal's up to in future over at her Facebook page.