Montreal-based alternative R&B artist Somaya creates music that offers a glimpse into her soul, transforming vulnerability, pain, femininity, and personal truth into an intimate, sultry, and ethereal soundscape.
Her latest release, "RHINESTONES," is a moody, seductive, slow-burning single infused with reggae grooves and Middle Eastern textures.
The opening line, "I got blood on my neck, don't know where it's from, my eyelids wide from the methadone, lashes heavy like rhinestones," is delivered in a slow, spoken cadence that draws the listener in, inviting a closer look at the details hidden within the track's haze.
Lyrically, Somaya explores the tension between self-destruction and delusion. The song captures the unsettling space where everything feels like it's falling apart, yet you continue to convince yourself you're untouchable.
Sonically, laid-back reggae rhythms and floating saxophone flourishes create ample room for Somaya's vocals to breathe, amplifying the track's dreamlike atmosphere and emotional weight.
Somaya's artistry is deeply shaped by her North African roots and Western upbringing, a duality that subtly informs both the sound and perspective woven throughout "RHINESTONES."
The accompanying music video, directed by Ophélie Anna and shot by Pavel Navarro, leans into the track’s contradictions with visuals that mirror the track's contradictions, balancing chaos, absurdity, and intention in equal measure.
"RHINESTONES" will appear on Somaya's forthcoming debut album, LAYALI, which is slated for release later this summer.
Photo Credit: Pavel Navarro
Connect with Somaya: Instagram | YouTube
