Eric Hirshberg and Aloe Blacc Reunite for “For Real,” a Song About Connection in a Divided World

Singer-songwriter Eric Hirshberg and GRAMMY-nominated soul artist Aloe Blacc have joined forces once again for “For Real,” a stirring new single that explores what it means to come together in a time of division. Now streaming on all digital platforms, the track marks the first preview of Hirshberg’s third studio album, More Is Not The Answer, set for release in 2026.

The collaboration follows their 2024 hit “I Love Not Drinking,” which People Magazine called “a sober anthem for Dry January” and earned praise from outlets like KCRW, Relix, American Songwriter, and KTLA. This time, the pair set their sights higher, aiming to create something both intimate and universal.

“This song started as a conversation about our phones,” Hirshberg explains. “We were both trying to spend less time online and escape the noise. ‘For Real’ became a song about breaking free from the forces that divide us and rediscovering the value of real connection, even when we disagree.”

Aloe Blacc adds, “Music has always been my way to bring people together, and this message is one that feels essential right now.”

Blending Hirshberg’s folk sensibility with Blacc’s soulful edge, the duo coined the term “Cinematic Folk” to describe their sound. “My work tends to be small-scale and personal, while Aloe’s has this big, anthemic energy,” Hirshberg says. “The combination feels both heartfelt and expansive.”

Blacc, known for global hits like “Wake Me Up,” “The Man,” and “I Need a Dollar,” continues to use his music as a catalyst for unity. His 2025 album, Stand Together, served as both a rallying cry and a reminder that music can still drive meaningful change.

Hirshberg’s own story is just as unique. Before pursuing music full-time, he spent nearly a decade as CEO of Activision, leading major entertainment franchises such as Call of Duty and Guitar Hero. He also served as CEO and Chief Creative Officer at Deutsch LA, guiding the agency to multiple “Agency of the Year” honors. Since leaving the corporate world, Hirshberg has channeled his creativity into songwriting that blends innovation, humor, and heart.

“For Real” builds on the reflective tone of his previous work, especially Second Hand Smoke, an album praised by Relix for its optimism and honesty. While “I Love Not Drinking” focused on self-awareness, “For Real” expands that perspective, offering a broader message about empathy and community in the age of digital disconnection.

The single closes with an invitation to “laugh and cry and disagree, and still see one another for the sisters and the brothers that we are,” underscoring the song’s spirit of unity.

“For Real” is more than a collaboration; it is a call to action. Through soulful vocals, rich instrumentation, and heartfelt lyrics, Hirshberg and Blacc remind us that connection is not lost, it just takes effort to find it again.