We Speak Music

Elizma ‘Secrets’: A Battle Cry Against Normalization

Published

5 months ago

December 9, 2024

Elizma’s latest single, Secrets, is nothing short of a revelation—a gripping, fast-paced anthem with an emotionally profound core. The track’s intricate musicality draws listeners in, while its raw lyrics demand reflection. A testament to Elizma’s personal journey through addiction and recovery, Secrets unearths the hidden struggles of substance abuse and the cultural forces that perpetuate it. From the first beat to the final chorus, the song is both a deeply personal confession and a universal plea for change.

The artist’s honesty sets the tone, as she reveals the song was conceived during a pivotal moment in her life. Inspired by the Alcoholics Anonymous mantra, “Secrets keep me sick,” Elizma channels the shame and isolation that often plague those battling addiction. Her vocal delivery, layered with urgency and vulnerability, transforms the track into a vessel for catharsis. Paired with its intricate instrumentation, the song feels like an emotional storm—unpredictable yet perfectly cohesive.

Perhaps most impactful is how Secrets confronts cultural complacency around substance abuse. Elizma critiques the music industry’s normalization of drug use, a theme she navigates with unflinching conviction. She doesn’t just tell her story; she challenges others to rethink the narratives they amplify. Her background growing up in an environment where substance use was normalized adds depth to her critique, grounding her perspective in lived experience.

Musically, Secrets stands apart with its layered arrangement. The rapid percussion mirrors the frenetic chaos of addiction, while melodic breaks offer moments of clarity—mirroring the artist’s own journey from despair to self-discovery. It’s a track that demands your full attention, both for its sonic intricacy and its harrowing subject matter.

Elizma’s Secrets isn’t just a song—it’s a rallying cry. By blending gripping storytelling with compelling music, she’s created an anthem that transcends personal reflection, urging listeners to question their own complicity in harmful cultural norms. This is more than a track; it’s a call to action.

We Speak Music

Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

Published

15 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Don Reed

London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.

Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’

‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.

Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.