We Speak Music

Ava Delaney Shares New Album ‘everything’

Published

9 months ago

April 25, 2024

The multi-faceted music artist Ava Delaney first took the stage at four years old or a local production of The Sound of Music, playing Liesel, and practically didn’t ever leave. She claims that her mother implies she leaped out of the womb, singing Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones. She attributes her musical proclivities to the whirling sounds of sage lyrical ladies who fostered her musical propensity. She recently relocated to New York City to follow her musical theatre and music ambitions after earning her degree from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Her latest offering, everything, is an imaginative and expansive collection of songs. The 11-track record was recorded in 2022 with producer Brian Kennedy (Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flats, The Weekend) at his home studio in Van Nuys.

Ava Delaney went on a journey of emotional, artistic, and spiritual discovery, and she placed a great deal of importance on establishing a serene, potent studio atmosphere when creating this album. She kept a copy of “Be Here Now” and her deck of spirit animal oracle cards close at hand, and she burned Inscesnce every day.

With every release, she reveals the sincerity and sensitivity found in her songs, driven by her creative exploration of new sounds and desire to establish a stronger connection with her audience.

everything, is an empowering storytelling offering while transporting listeners into a realm of engaging soundscapes. This collection of tracks in particular seems to embody her essence as a musician and artist—yet another superb effort. She is dedicated to making music that resonates deeply with audiences as she progresses in the music industry.

On the release, Ava Delaney comments, “‘everything’ was a journey of fully investigating and giving a voice to all the swimming, yearning, curious parts within me. It’s titled ‘everything’ because the deeper I go, the more infinite words there are to discover within. This album is a quest to find an oar, a spiritual center, an anchor, within the wild whirling tides of the sea of life.”

We Speak Music

Joshu’s Soulful Voyage Into Identity and Place In ‘Way Back Home’

Published

5 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Philomena Marie

Indie-folk artist Joshu’s latest EP, Way Back Home, is a captivating exploration of belonging, identity, and the search for self. Following a painful breakup, Joshu embarked on a life-changing journey across the Atlantic Ocean, retracing the path from his birthplace to the island of Antigua, where he grew up. The EP serves as an emotional reflection on his voyage, filled with personal revelations and introspective moments that resonate with anyone who has ever felt a sense of disconnection or longing for home.

The title track, “Way Back Home,” encapsulates the feeling of isolation and the emotional weight of Joshu’s journey. Its haunting melody and tender vocals draw the listener into his personal reflections on belonging, and what it means to find peace in one’s place. As Joshu sailed across the vast ocean, he questioned his identity as a second-generation white man in the Caribbean, pondering the concept of home and how we form connections to the places that shape us.

Over the course of five deeply reflective tracks, Joshu delves into themes of identity and place, all while challenging the notion of home as a static concept. His vulnerable lyrics invite the listener to ponder the same questions: is home where you’re born, or where you’re raised? How do we cultivate a sense of belonging in a land that may never fully feel like home? The EP, though deeply personal, is a universal meditation on human connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

Written and self-produced in the intimate surroundings of Antigua, Way Back Home, showcases Joshu’s growth as an artist. His delicate vocals are supported by lush, minimalistic arrangements, creating a warm, introspective atmosphere. The production highlights his ability to blend folk sensibilities with subtle Caribbean influences, crafting a sound that is uniquely his own. As both a producer and songwriter, Joshu’s skillful handling of mood and emotion shines through, making this EP a poignant and captivating listen.

Yet, Way Back Home, is more than a personal exploration; it’s a reflection on the broader human experience. Through his delicate storytelling and heartfelt music, Joshu explores the universal longing for connection and the quiet grief that comes with feeling displaced. In a world where so many of us feel disconnected from the places and people that define us, Way Back Home, is a beautiful reminder of the power of music to heal and reconnect.