We Speak Music

DILAN SKIES’ New Single ‘Leave It All Behind’ – A Nostalgic Yet Fresh Blend of Pop and R&B

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2024

DILAN SKIES’ latest single, ‘Leave It All Behind,’ is a captivating blend of Pop and R&B, steeped in a warm sense of nostalgia. This track, a prelude to his anticipated debut album, firmly positions Skies as an emerging talent in the music scene, with a unique ability to merge the old with the new, crafting a sound that is both innovative and comfortingly familiar.

The track opens with a pulsating bassline that immediately sets a reflective and introspective tone. The warm, low frequencies create a sense of intimacy, drawing the listener into the world Skies is creating. As the song progresses, subtle layers of atmospheric synths are introduced, adding a lush, almost ethereal quality to the production. These elements work together to create a backdrop that is both rich and inviting, perfectly complementing the themes of the song.

One of the standout features of ‘Leave It All Behind’ is Skies’ vocal performance. His delivery is smooth and intimate, with a sincerity that makes each lyric feel personal and relatable. Skies’ voice effortlessly glides over the melody, showcasing his impressive range and control. His use of rhythmic phrasing, coupled with nuanced falsettos, adds a contemporary edge to the track. This is particularly noteworthy as it nods to the early 2000s influences that clearly shaped Skies’ musical identity, yet it never feels derivative.

The production of ‘Leave It All Behind’ is meticulously crafted, striking a delicate balance between modernity and familiarity. The percussion is crisp yet understated, providing a steady foundation without overpowering the more melodic elements of the track. This allows the soulful guitar riffs to shine, adding depth and warmth to the arrangement. The harmonies are equally well-executed, weaving together to create a delicate sonic tapestry that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics.

What sets this track apart is the dynamic interplay between its minimalistic verses and the more expansive chorus. The verses are restrained, allowing Skies’ vocals and the underlying instrumentation to breathe, creating a sense of tension. This tension is released in the chorus, which swells with emotion, evoking a sense of longing and catharsis that is both powerful and moving.

‘Leave It All Behind’ is a testament to DILAN SKIES’ talent and potential. It’s a track that feels simultaneously fresh and nostalgic, a rare and difficult balance to strike. As he gears up for his debut album, this single serves as a strong indicator of the artistry and skill that will undoubtedly propel him to greater heights. With this release, DILAN SKIES establishes himself as a rising star in the music world, one whose journey will be well worth following.

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We Speak Jazz

Zahili Zamora Wins Two Global Music Awards and Brings Her Afro-Cuban Jazz Quartet to Regattabar

Published

1 hour ago

November 2, 2026

We Speak Media

Zahili Zamora seated in a burgundy dress, her braided hair styled in a top bun

Zahili González Zamora. Photo by Robert Torres.

Afro Cuban jazz pianist Zahili Zamora brings her Afro Cuban Jazz Quartet to The Regattabar at The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Friday, November 6 at 7 pm, with special guest Yosvany Terry on saxophone. The quartet features Gerson Lazo Quiroga on bass and Zack O’Farrill on drums. Tickets are $35 and $25 plus fees and are on sale now.

Zamora returns this week from a week in Seoul, Korea, where she was performing and auditioning students for Berklee. She has won two Global Music Awards for her recent album Overcoming, taking Silver Medals for Latin Jazz and Afro Cuban music and for album art and graphics. She is also nominated for the Boston Music Awards 2026 Latin Artist of the Year, with winners announced at Big Night Live on Wednesday, December 16, and WBUR has saluted her as one of its 2026 Makers, its annual series highlighting creatives of color making an impact in the local arts scene. Earlier this year she also won the InterContinental Music Award 2026 for Best of Latin America for her composition “Negra.”

The run of dates continues overseas and back in New York. The Zahili Zamora Afro Cuban Jazz Trio, with Gerson Lazo Quiroga on bass and Julien Miltenberger on drums, plays Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London on Sunday, November 15, with shows at 2 pm and 8 pm. Zamora then plays duo sets with clarinetist Juan Fer Ruiz at So & So’s in New York on Saturday, November 28, Five Spot Jazz in New York on Sunday, November 29, Fat Swami’s Jazz Bar & Lounge in Guttenberg, New Jersey on Thursday, December 3, and The Delancey on Thursday, December 10.

About special guest Yosvany Terry, The New York Times has written that the Cuban saxophonist, percussionist and composer “has helped redefine Latin jazz as a complex new idiom.” Bassist Gerson Lazo Quiroga, a Chilean born Berklee Presidential Scholar, has performed at Carnegie Hall, SFJAZZ and the Montreal, Monterey, San Jose and Panama Jazz Festivals. Drummer Zack O’Farrill, son of pianist Arturo O’Farrill and grandson of composer Chico O’Farrill, performs regularly across the United States and the globe.