We Speak Music

Palmistry serves up stellar remix of Past Life Romeo’s acclaimed single “Sometimes, Most Nights”

Published

9 months ago

April 25, 2024

Don Reed

Past Life Romeo is the solo project of Camila Djadja, singer-songwriter, formerly of the rock group Sugar Pills. Camila is also known for her work with film and cinema, having produced several music videos as well as original soundtracks.

Past Life Romeo is a brand-new alternative pop project, mixing electro, hyperpop and rock. There’s melancholy and a sensuality in the writing and voice of Camila, mixed with the eclectic productions of musician Carlos Loverboy (Spill Tab, Blossoms, Myd…) who co-prouced Past Life Romeo’s first EP, and the garage drums of Jim Casanova (Annie Ada…).

This first Past Life Romeo EP, scheduled for release on 24^th May, titled “You Look Just Like Me”, was recorded at Motorbass and offers a mix of analog and digital; a disk that is both organic and intimate. Throughout the EP, we find the influence of Bon Iver and Burial, but also Sega Bodega or even the pop of Lorde.

The EP was mixed by James Rand (Eartheater, Sega Bodega, LSDXOXO…) and evokes introspection and intimate questions on change, self-image, gender and sexuality.

The first single to come from the EP “Sometimes, Most Nights” was released on PIAS on February 14, 2024 to acclaim from Wonderland, Radio France Inter, Tsugi, iHeart and gained features on Apple’s New Music Daily playlist, Inrocks selection of the week, month and year, Têtu selection of the month and more.

“Sometimes, Most Nights” shakes up the codes of the pop song: between verse and chorus, the line is blurred. The song’s temporality is cyclical, representative of what it evokes: a relationship that goes round and round and doesn’t move forward: “We go round and round again”. The track mixes saturated guitars reminiscent of early M83, with hyperpop production elements inspired by SOPHIE and the candid, avant-garde pop of Farrah Abraham.

“Sometimes, Most Nights” has now been remixed by Londonian singer and producer, Palmistry. His remix adds a bold shot of hyperpop, EDM, PC music and dancehall to the song, slightly sped-up, which makes it the perfect party-starter song for this summer, in the club or on a lonely day at home.

Debut Past Life Romeo EP “You Look Just Like Me” will be released on 24^th May.

We Speak Music

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

Published

2 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.