Fresh from the upcoming EP City Of Lights, expected this July, Umair Ali’s Doldrums makes for a delicately breath-taking audio journey that slowly but surely envelops the listener in deeply human thoughts and feelings.
Songwriter
Be There makes for a likable and thoughtful introduction to his work, but it also effectively presents a level of identity that listeners are likely to recognise throughout future releases.
“I always find it easier to sing when the song has a lot of meaning to me. It goes along with the idea of catharsis through each performance.”
The music becomes somewhat more engaging and intense – appearing to freeze in the air around you, stealing the moment and holding it still. Complexity falls away as this overwhelming and uplifting moment of calm steps into view.
The simple country label doesn’t seem to quite cover the experience you get from the music, there’s something about the beats and the artist’s leading voice, even the scene setting, which leans in a slightly more alternative direction.
Not only does his voice offer a subtle yet striking sense of purity & realness, but his words, the simplicity of his music – in contrast with the complexity of these poetic reflections on love & life – it allows you to turn it up loud & completely escape into the moment, feeling as if you understand; or you’re being understood.
The single has great character, those opening moments are superb – feeling ready to grace the scenes of a Tarantino flick or a Bond film. An easy hit with a brilliant rhythmic set-up – likely to be well worth experiencing at a live show.
Music and art are incredible vehicles of change with the potential to influence our culture and society. And there’s so much to write about, an endless amount of possibilities, and yet most artists limit themselves to writing about the same few themes that everyone else writes about.
There’s a driving force about this that would let it suit the long road home as much as the early morning start – the calling card of a songwriter with strong audience awareness yet still a clear & concise sense of self identity.
Every bit as hypnotic and powerful as any of the best pop ballads from the past couple of decades – perhaps even with a slightly more compelling, alternative and genuine edge.
Released in honor of 2019’s Earth Day, Midas is a beautiful ode to a planet that holds so much wonder and magic. At the same time, it’s a mildly chaotic walk through a history of greed and pain – these conflicting concepts are represented cleverly, through lyrics and musical unpredictability alike. The soundscape feels partly hopeful, partly unsettling – skillful production lets these qualities rightfully walk hand in hand.
Noella Rain gets quietly candid about contemporary insecurities and self-esteem on this latest single. ‘Wash it all off’ – start over from scratch and remind yourself of who you are and that you’re beautiful.