Canadian singer-songwriter Solaya Love will drop her new LP, entitled Illustrious, November 29. The album features 11-tracks of EDM blended with bright pop elements.
Fascinated by music from an early age, Love first learned the violin, followed by the guitar. By the time she was 12-years-old, she was in a band. When she was 16, she joined a psychedelic rock band that stayed together for five years, playing constant local gigs, and recorded one track.
According to Love, “Since I was a child, in my sleep, I would have dreams of hearing music. The next step was knowing music theory to write it all down when I woke up.”
Later, Love hooked up with producer/DJ John Atonic. Together, the pair writes songs utilizing software synthesizers and samples. They modify the samples rather than utilizing pre-made loops, as well as exploring a variety of instruments, like guitar, ukulele, didgeridoo, djembe, piano, bass, and drums.
Her name, Solaya Love, was created by adding a syllable to her given name – Lea – and spelling it phonetically. Sol refers to the sun, while Aya implies a number of different meanings, such as beautiful, wonderful, and amazing.
The LP opens with “Let It Go,” a pulsating EDM tune riding shimmering colors and a crisp rhythm. Melodic breaks, creamy and full of sparkling pigments, serve as bridges to the contagious EDM sections.
Subjectively, the best tracks on the album include “Never Waken,” which rides an EDM melody flavored with cool hues of sensuous R&B elements. Love’s dazzling voice, tight with erotic resonance, secures the song’s infectious hormonal seduction. “All Or Nothing” opens with a syncopated groove, luminous synths, delicious vocal harmonies, and funk-like R&B energy. Seasoned with Latin vibes, the tune pushes out an infectious pressure that’s easy to dance to.
“Zen Up” starts off with filtered vocal effects flowing into a heady EDM beat rife with flashing synth colors infusing the tune with psychedelic-lite savors. Breaks thrumming with swelling, reverberating tones stream into the dynamic chorus. “Sexy Silk” features an industrial-flavored pop-dance ambience with muscular synths droning forth deep, booming colors.
Illustrious is definitely a strong album, full of contemporary dance energy, as well as innovative blends of pop, hip-hop, and R&B washes. Solaya Love’s voice, nuanced and mesmerizing, raises the music above the level of run-of-the-mill EDM.
