Album Review
IAMTHELIVING drops a unique blend of modern sound for ‘Nebra Sky, Pt. 1’ [Album]
IAMTHELIVING, a multi-talented artist born in London, has been making a name for himself in Vancouver with his latest album titled “Nebra Sky, Pt. 1.” The album is a beautiful blend of modern soul and R&B that takes listeners on an intimate journey through IAMTHELIVING’s life, love, and self-discovery.
The album has a total of seven tracks and spans a captivating 22 minutes and 58 seconds. IAMTHELIVING has pushed boundaries and defied genre constraints since his early days as a professional backing dancer at the age of 15. He earned a JUNO Award nomination in 2019 for his debut album and “Nebra Sky, Pt. 1” serves as a significant chapter in his musical evolution, showcasing his growth as an artist and a man.
The album starts with “Superhero,” a poignant homage to his mother. The track sets an emotional tone with a voicemail from his mum, and IAMTHELIVING skillfully weaves through memories of his upbringing, using soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Each note is a brushstroke, painting a vivid picture of a single-parent household filled with love and lessons.
“Rockin’ London City” takes listeners on a journey to IAMTHELIVING’s stomping grounds, immersing them in the rich guitars and dynamic drum grooves that define the city’s heartbeat. The track showcases the artist’s musical versatility, blending elements of rock and R&B seamlessly.
The journey continues with “Can’t Be Replaced,” a soul-baring reflection on self-doubt and confidence. IAMTHELIVING’s raw honesty, accompanied by acoustic guitar plucks and resonant drums, creates a mesmerizing and relatable experience.
The collaboration with Jake Isaac, “Make It Home Alive,” elevates the album’s energy with its rich bass lines and commanding vocals. It’s a motivational anthem, urging listeners to persevere through life’s challenges.
“Calloused Heart” follows an introspective ballad exploring love and renewal’s complexities. IAMTHELIVING’s sultry vocals and soulful guitar riffs draw listeners into a cathartic experience.
The album reaches its emotional zenith with “Love So Divine,” a heartwarming declaration of vulnerability and devotion. IAMTHELIVING lays bare his emotions, promising unwavering love through thick and thin. The track is a fitting finale to an album that spans the spectrum of human emotions, leaving listeners in awe of the artist’s talent and creativity.
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Album Review
Belle Lundon Gets Emotional and Existential on “Space Cadet”
Belle Lundon is a multifaceted artist excelling in music, acting, and songwriting. Raised in New Orleans and now based in Houston, her artistic journey blossomed at the California Institute of the Arts. In 2016, Belle won a Coca-Cola music competition, leading to a performance at the Apollo Theater in New York where she captivated audiences with “He Wants It All” by Forever Jones. Beyond covers, Belle’s original song “My Soul to Keep” earned her the W.A.M. Award for Best Gospel Song in 2020. Belle’s passion lies in sharing her music globally, with dreams of embarking on international tours, always striving for authenticity, success, and happiness in her artistry.
Her latest single, “Space Cadet” captures the internal struggle of feeling overwhelmed and seeking redemption and support. It conveys a narrative of personal turmoil, mistakes, and the human desire for a sense of upliftment and understanding. The recurring motif of drowning and being lifted up symbolizes the search for hope and assistance in times of despair.
The lyrics delve into themes of vulnerability, redemption, and the human condition. The repeated lines “Feels like I’m drowning, grab my hands and lift me up” suggest a plea for help and connection, emphasizing the universal need for support and understanding. The contrast between “giving up” and “not giving up” reflects the internal conflict between resignation and resilience. The mention of “Subliminal like haiku” indicates a nuanced and profound communication of feelings, akin to the brevity and depth of haiku poetry. The invocation of “Chrios” could symbolize a call to a higher power or inner strength, adding a spiritual dimension to the song’s exploration of seeking guidance and clarity.
For further thematic exploration, artists like Sufjan Stevens, with his introspective and often spiritual lyrics, and Florence + The Machine, known for their poetic and metaphysical themes, would resonate with the mood and style of “Space Cadet.”
“Space Cadet” seems to be a richly textured song that weaves together themes of struggle and resilience with a musical backdrop that spans pop, R&B, and electronic genres, infused with elements of dream pop and synth-pop. The song’s narrative centers on the journey through hardship, underlined by an emotional plea for support and the hope for a brighter, more euphoric future. Its lyrics reflect a deep sense of being overwhelmed yet underscore a strong will to persevere and overcome, making it a poignant anthem for those facing their own battles.
The combination of hopeful, resilient, and determined moods with the thematic focus on struggle, resilience, and support creates a compelling contrast against the relaxed, dreamy, and ethereal tones provided by the music’s instrumentation. The use of synth, drums, guitar, and piano, alongside the subgenres like chillwave and lo-fi, suggests a sound that is both introspective and uplifting, capable of transporting the listener to a state of contemplation and solace.
This duality between the song’s thematic depth and its sonic atmosphere might be what Belle Lundon aims to convey: a message that even in the depths of adversity, there is a space for dreaming, hope, and finding support, whether through personal connections or the universal experience of music. “Space Cadet” appears to be an invitation to acknowledge our vulnerabilities and struggles but also to remember the strength and resilience within us that helps to navigate through tough times.
–James Watkins