À l'infini

"À l'infini" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Elice Claire for her third greatest hits album Veni Vidi Vixi (2014). It was written by Elice Claire and produced by Isabella Summers. The song was released digitally on January 13, 2014 in the United States and on February 3, 2013 in the UK by Elixir Entertainment and distributed by Bumblebee Records in the UK. Elice collaborated with Summers to develop a number of songs. Amongst all the songs developed by them, three were chosen for the greatest hits album with "À l'infini" being released as the first single from it. It is a baroque pop, alternative song with influences from Elice's previous album Carpe Diem as with references to her previous releases. The single debuted at number two on the UK singles chart, and rose to number-one the following week.

Background
"À l'infini" is a baroque pop, orchestral pop and soul mid-tempo ballad. The song is about the emotions behind a departure. Although the song is about leaving and saying goodbye, it has a positive spin. The song talks about letting go of someone who's leaving, but feeling happy for that someone, because he/she is off to do greater things. One may be leaving physically, but the memories will remain forever and that is all that matters in the end of the day. The song receive its world premiere on British radio station BBC Radio 1. Elice phoned Radio 1 to premiere the song, and she elaborated on the release of the song: "Before planning to release this album [Veni Vidi Vixi], I wanted to write a song that reflected on my: past, present, future. I wanted a song that made references to my career and to things that are still to come, but most importantly, I wanted to create a song that was positive and timeless. 'À l'infini,' which is French for 'to infinity' embodies all those characteristics. I think that in time all that will matter are the times and memories shared between all of us. It's safe to say this was the ideal song to represent this collection album. This song, 'À l'infini,' serves as an epilogue to this book." Elice wrote the song in 2012 after completing her 'Carpe Diem' tour. She had plans to release the song in 2013. She recorded the track in January 2013 in Paris with Isabella Summers, the producer behind some of the songs from her third studio album Carpe Diem.

Music video
The video opens with the camera showing a view of Los Angeles skyline at night. We hear crickets in the background, mixed with ambulance sirens and car horns fades in the background. We then get a far out shot of a luxurious apartment sitting at the top of a hill looking out to the main city. Elice is seen approaching the window slowly. The song starts playing as the camera view shifts from outside of the apartment to the inside. Inside the house everything is golden (camera focuses on door knobs, a champagne bucket with ice in it, an open jewelry box and golden picture frames). In the picture frames we see stills from previous Elice videos ("Keepin' U Up," "Scattered Echoes," and "Broken Bridge"). The scene changes and it shows the camera approaching Elice from behind, as she stands against a glass wall watching the L.A skyline. Scene changes as the camera continues to move around the house. In a hallway the camera shows golden frames on the wall with Elice's previous albums. The camera shows an empty bedroom. In the bed the camera focuses on teddy bears and letters written by fans. In the nightstand we see a golden picture frame of Elice and her friends. Scene changes and we see Elice standing in front of a mirror applying make up. Hanging in the mirror we see a still of the "Broken Bridge" music video. Scene changes and we see a golden elevator door opening. We continue to see Elice getting ready. The camera continues to walk around the house, and now we reach the kitchen. It's a modern looking kitchen, all black with golden appliances. We see a wine bottle on top of the black counter with 2 used wine bottles. The camera focuses on one of the wine glasses that has the marks of red lips. The camera changes to the living room, it only has a black couch, with stands on both sides and a big screen TV on top of a fireplace. On the stands we see more golden picture frames. There are pictures of Isaac and Elice kissing, Elice and a group of fans, and a frame of Elice with Lindsay Belle and Ben Johnston. Scene changes and we see Elice walking towards the elevator. Now we get a close shot of Elice, the view is cut into different frames (as if Elice was looking into different mirrors. She looks at herself, and then she looks at a black lingerie sitting in the bed. Elice is blurred as the camera focuses on the lingerie. Scene changes and now the video shows the big bathroom. On top of the black granite sink we see a golden hairdryer and on a hanger by the shower we black and white "Mr." and "Mrs." towels. Scene changes once again and now we see Elice inside the elevator as the doors start to close slowly. Elice is seen inside the elevator looking out to the city. Black and white random shots of Elice in the following music videos ("Damn Wrong About Me," "Empire of the Falling Stars," and "Forever's not for always" - it lasts for about 5 seconds). Now we see a front view of Elice as she sings the song. The camera does a 360 and we see the whole elevator. Everything is golden. We get more shots of the L.A skyline from the apartment's view. The scene is cut and now see an over the buildings look of L.A., meanwhile as the helicopter capture a view of the city, we see more clips of Elice's previous music videos in black and white with gold displayed on top of the buildings (it's as if the top of the buildings were TV screens). We get clips of ("Letters from a Broken Heart," "Never Let Go" and "Mon destin douce" - it lasts for about 9 seconds). Scene changes once again and we are inside the elevator with Elice singing the song. We get different angles inside the elevator as Elice continues to sing the song. Scene changes and it shows the floor numbers in a round golden circle. We see it change from 3rd floor to 2nd floor as Elice is descending. A small screen on top of the elevator floor numbers displays Elice's "Cloud Nine" music video in black and white. Scene changes and it shows Elice singing the song. Scene changes once again, and we see a man wearing a suit standing by a black Mercedes SLS-Class Roadster. The main is facing the and we can only get a view from the back. He looks at his watch, and the camera shows the watch, It's a golden Rolex customized with an infinity sign We see the elevator door open to the sub floor garage. Elice is standing facing the door, as it continues to open slowly. The scene changes and we see Elice singing the song in front of mirrors. The main in the suit starts to turn around as the scene cuts to Elice starting to make her way out of the elevator. Scenes of Elice singing the song is shown. Scene changes and it shows close shots of Elice's outfit and jewelry. We see the texture of Elice's golden gown, a close look at her engagement and wedding ring, and a clear shot of her gold with diamond customized Rolex watch with "Mme. Bellamy" engraved in gold on the face of the watch. Elice is now walking towards the man and the car. As Elice continues to walk towards the car, the elevator door starts to close behind her as a bright golden light takes over the shot. Elice is seen is smiling as the shot fades into a golden/white screen. In the final screen, we see the words "I CAME" it fades off and "I SAW" appears, then it fades and "I LIVED" appears. After "I lived" fades Elice's name appears on top of the screen, as it starts to fade a golden infinity sign appears as the video ends.

Critical reception
"À l'infini" received universal acclaim. Fans' reaction toward the song has been overwhelmingly positive. After the song premiered on BBC Radio one, the song was a trending topic in the UK. Radio One gave a positive review saying, "[i]t's terrifying to think that this masterpiece is one of the last records we will get from Elice. Like most of her repertoire, this is another gem that will make history." Perez Hilton, who criticized Elice's work in the past also acclaimed the song saying, "Elice has delivered a powerfully emotional song for her greatest hits album, with shockingly AH-Mazing vocals and beautiful lyrics. Props." "À l'infini" received a very positive review from US RollingStone, calling it "a genuine sendoff" and adding "Elice continues to deliver hits so effortlessly." MTV praised the song saying the song "is an undeniably powerful and memorable number, as she [Elice] does so often, showcasing some of her best vocals throughout." Spin simply called the song "epic and nostalgic."

Track listing

 * UK digital single
 * 1) "À l'infini" — 3:45
 * 2) "Valediction" — 3:38


 * Digital download
 * 1) "À l'infini" — 3:45


 * Digital download
 * 1) "À l'infini" (Version française) — 3:43